Birtwistle's Minotaur comes to DVD

Birtwistle, Harrison

The Minotaur (Opus Arte DVD 2-DVD set)

$49.71 

Birtwistle, Harrison

The Minotaur (Libretto by David Harsent)

$15.81

DVD Region code: 0 (All Regions).

View a video clip of the DVD.

This world premiere of a gripping new work by composer Harrison Birtwistle and librettist David Harsent, commissioned by The Royal Opera, brings the monstrous, Greek mythological character to the stage.

The Minotaur, part man, part beast, trapped in his labyrinth and constrained by his bloodthirsty role there, longs to discover his true identity and his own voice. Athens must pay a blood sacrifice to Crete and among the innocents is Theseus, who has come to challenge the violent Minotaur, but who also attracts the attention of Ariadne, half-sister and keeper of the monster; it is with her help he succeeds.

"A superb cast and impeccable playing under Antonio Pappano . . . what Birtwistle has done is give us one opera inside another. The outer one is strident and earthbound; the inner one – ending with the Minotaur's Caliban-like dying aria – burns with visionary fire.’ The Independent

For more information on Harrison Birtwistle, plus a complete list of his available publications, CDs and DVDS, click here