David McVicar’s production of Giulio Cesare manages to combine serious insight with entertainment, bringing Handel’s masterpiece to life in a powerful, convincing and highly intelligent way. In every line of the complex narrative the subtle nuances are apparent, reflecting perfectly the transparent and exquisite nature of Handel’s musical expression. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound, the outstanding singing of the all-star cast, led by a superb Sarah Connolly, and the vivid playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the energising baton of William Christie reveal the colour and dramatic character of Handel’s music in a most delightful manner.

Sarah Connolly, Angelika Kirchschlager, Danielle de Niese, Christophe Dumaux, Patricia Bardon, Christopher Maltman, Rachid Ben Abdeslam
The Glyndebourne Chorus / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / William Christie
Stage Director David McVicar

Plus
Cast Gallery & Synopsis

Entertainment is not a Dirty Word - documentary about the opera including interviews with William Christie, David McVicar and the cast

Danielle de Niese & the Glyndebourne experience - an informal portrait of Danielle de Niese in her first-ever Glyndebourne season

Reviews
‘…a lively and imaginative production, directed by the ever resourceful David McVicar, enchanted and amused. …there was so much good acting, often whilst singing difficult and controlled coloratura.’ Musical Opinion

‘Christie conducts Handel beguilingly - in fact, I’d go so far as to suggest that nobody does Handel better. Christie drew brisk playing from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, crisp and punchy, yet he also carried the slow tempos with magical stillness. But the performance was about much more than sound alone: underneath the OAE’s sheen there was an internalized musical depth to each of the numbers.’ Opera

‘…a production with performances to savour, led from the pit by William Christie and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on stylish form. Sarah Connolly… gave a ‘complete’ performance full of intelligence and subtlety. Danielle de Niese stole the show as a wily, fun-filled sex kitten who renders men helpless with her irresistible charms.’ Opera Now

Awards & Accolades:
Helsingen Sanomat reviewers' discs of the year 2007

Classic Voice Award

Best DVD Award - BBC Music Magazine Awards 2007

DVD OF THE MONTH Classic fM (June 2006)

DVD CHOICE BBC Music Magazine (June 2006)

10 de Classica Répertoire (June 2006)

10/10 on classicstoday.com (June 2006)

Presi der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (Bestenliste 3/2006) (Aug 2006)

Gramophone award Best of category (DVD) (Sept 2006)

CAT NO: OA 0950 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 295 Mins
SOUND: DTS SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT
RELEASED: 01/04/2006
NO OF DISCS: 3