{"product_id":"814337010218","title":"Nikorasu Magiigan - Handel: Admeto - Import Blu-ray Disc","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNikorasu Magiigan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLive from the Göttingen Handel Festival!\nHandel’s “Admetus”: The World of Greek Mythology with a Japanese Twist!\n“Admetus” is an opera that Handel premiered in London in 1727. It is essentially based on the story from Greek mythology of Alcestis, famous for her chastity. In an attempt to save the life of the dying King Admetus, Queen Alcestis descends into the underworld in his place, but is brought back to the surface by the hero Heracles. However, Admetus’s former fiancée, Antigone, then appears, complicating the situation.\nGerman film director Doris Dörrie has infused this world of Greek mythology with a “Japanese-style” aesthetic. Admetus is portrayed as a samurai-like figure, Alceste initially resembles an oiran, and Ercole is a peerless sumo wrestler (who even performs the shiko stomp). There is also a silent character who, no matter how you look at it, resembles Sadako from *The Ring*, and who plays a crucial role. Dierie is a huge fan of Yasujirō Ozu—she loves Japan so much that she even made *HANAMI*, a remake of *Tokyo Story*. Drawing on the butoh performances of German-based dancer Kimiyoshi Endo and the Mam Dance Theater, she created a fantastical stage production rich in Japanese elements. While the production was fundamentally designed to be fantastical—and, from a Japanese perspective, had plenty of points that might invite criticism—it was highly successful in adapting the story of “Admetus” for the stage, and the beautiful production received rave reviews.\nThe cast featured Tim Mead as Admetus—who had previously received rave reviews for singing the title role in *Rinaldo* in Japan—and Marie Arnett, a rapidly rising Swedish soprano who sang Pamina in *The Magic Flute*, produced by Yutaka Sado in Hyogo. Alcesste, played by Marie Arnett; Ercole, played by William Berger, a British baritone active in a wide-ranging repertoire; and Alcesste, played by Kirstin Blaze, an American soprano highly regarded for her Baroque music—among many other talented young artists. Furthermore, the production is held together with precision by the uncompromising musical direction of Nicholas McGigan, a Handel specialist who has served as music director of the Göttingen Handel Festival since 1991.\nThe beauty of the HD footage is also worth noting.\nKing International\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"C Major","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53414282330401,"sku":"814337010218","price":6290.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/814337010218.jpg?v=1788096517","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/814337010218","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}