Julius Caesar [1984] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Customer Reviews:

A period pleasure.......2005-10-02

In 1979, this production totally redefined Handel's Julius Caesar for the London audience. Revivals in 1981 and 1983 (the latter with Christopher Robson replacing Janet Baker as Caesar) reinforced the point, and this 1984 studio recording did much to consolidate John Copley's Handel style as a point of reference for a larger audience: golden scenery and big frocks allied to a sensitive delineation of character.

It is not a 20th Century re-interpretation such as Nicholas Hytner's Xerxes or David Alden's Ariodante, but it is a golden achievemt with some wonderful singing and acting from a superb cast inspired by Sir Charles Mackerras' conducting to feats of vocal virtuosity (not just in terms of bravura but also of passionate inward expression).

Valerie Masterson's Cleopatra (although not as completely outstanding as in Italian at the Paris Opera as preserved on a 1990 telecast) stands out for a superb understanding of how to present a Handel character in visual and vocal terms: each aria has a tremendous power of visual as well as vocal precision realised with a dazzling technique rising effortlessly to high C sharp. It is, perhaps, timely in this context to remember her stupendous Semele in Copley's produtcion for the Royal Opera, as a result of which she gained an Olivier Award.

Of the others, Sarah Walker is an unforgettably intense, if rather mature Cornelia; Della Jones sings with passionate intensity as Sesto; and John Tomlinson brings black humour, black tone and clean technique to his Achillas.

This leaves Dame Janet Baker's Caesar, which, heretically, I find blowsy and matronly, both of tone and demeanour. There are some wonderfully inward moments but too many others where the tone lacks precision and the character, as a result, heroic impetus.

Even so, this DVD is a noble achievement, and a record of ENO's high standards in the 1970's.

A minor triumph.......2003-04-07

When this performance went 'live' in 1984 the reviews were rather mixed. Whilst the translation was generally praised, the cuts (of arias, and in arias) made at the time were panned in some quarters. This recording was available on video in the mid-80s but this DVD adds little to the re-issued CD formate of several years ago.

The picture is a little grainey though the studio sound of the orchestra and singers is much improved on that former video, but of less quality than the CD issue ! So, a mixed blessing, I suppose. The one real benefit bringing the performance alive for those, like myself, who did not see the original for English National Opera.

The eponymous hero is played by Dame Janet Baker, at the end of her career, but still capable of elegant interpretation of a style of music she made her own at the height of her powers. Valerie Masterton as Cleopatra is duly agile in the coloratura, though her words are not as clear her as on the CD. Sarah Walker as Cornelia and Della Jones as Sextus are vibrant, convincing and on top form. John Tomlinson makes a rare Handelian appearance as the Egyptian general Achillas and his performance makes you wonder why he did not have more Handelian roles to play. He might have made an excellent Zoroastro never mind his traditional Wotan. James Bowman oozes lasciviousness as the tyrant Ptolomey in his brief appearances, as his character has suffered the most from the aria cuts.

So, we have a performance well made in its time, atmospheric and well costumed, not to mention reasonably acted by performers well in tune with what they wanted to achieve. All is led by Handel expert Sir Charles Mackerras with a fine ENO orchestra on modern instruments. Whilst it may be showing the advance of time for pacing, picture and vocal quality, it should be an integral part of any Handelian's growing DVD library, certainly well in advance of ther recent issue of Alcina.

DVD Review:

DVD Review List

DVD Review