Henze, Hans Werner (1926-2012) - Die Bassariden : Warlikowski, Kent Nagano / Vienna Philharmonic, Panikkar, R.Braun, W.White, Schukoff, Szemere, etc (2018 Stereo)(2DVD)(Salzburg) - Import 2 DVD

TV Standard: NTSC
Color: Colour

Credits:

Henze, Hans Werner (1926-2012)

Description:

Henze's "The Priestess of Bacchus" returns to the Salzburg Festival after a 52-year absence, conducted by Kent Nagano and directed by Christoph Walikowski, Henze's masterpiece, "The Priestess of Bacchus," performed at the 2018 Salzburg Festival, conducted by Kent Nagano and directed by Christoph Walikowski. Based on Euripides' play "The Faithful of Bacchus," this Greek tragedy depicts the struggle between Dionysos (aka Bacchus) and Pentheus. Dionysos is the god of madness and drunkenness. The women of Thebai, the priestesses of Bacchus, vow revenge for their refusal to recognize his divinity. Meanwhile, Pentheus, king of Thebai, wants to put an end to this belief in pleasure and disguises himself as a woman to see what happens. However, Pentheus is killed by his mother, Agaue, under the spell of a cruel fate. When Agaue finally comes to his senses, he is devastated to learn that his son Pentheus is the one he killed. This is the synopsis of the play. The "Priestess of Bacchus" was premiered at the Salzburg Festival in August 1966 under the baton of conductor Giacomo Dohnányi. This time, after 52 years, it was performed again in Salzburg.This new production by Polish director Christoph Walikowski uses a huge set that makes the most of the space of the Felsenlightschule theater, and Walikowski's unique psychological portrayal of the political aspects of the play that are still relevant today. Sean Panicker as Dionysus is a brilliantly executed hedonistic hero, while Russell Brown as Pentheus further accentuates the contrast between the two with his gentlemanly delivery. Kent Nagano, a specialist in modern and contemporary operatic works, adds a new approach to the original score with the addition of the 20+ minute "Judgment of Calliope" scene. King International