Hercules (II) (TV 2005)

Director:

Vincent Bataillon

Writers:

Thomas Broughton (libretto), Ovid (play),

Stars:

William Shimell, Joyce DiDonato, Toby Spence

Cast

Credited cast:
William Shimell	...	Hercules
Joyce DiDonato	...	Dejanira
Toby Spence	...	Hyllus
Ingela Bohlin	...	Iole
Malena Ernman	...	Lichas
Simon Kirkbride	...	Priest of Jupiter
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hanna Bayodi	...	Choeur - Soprano (as Les Arts Florissants)
Luc Bondy	...	Himself - Mise en scène
William Christie	...	Himself - Direction musicale
Sophie Decaudaveine	...	Choeur - Soprano (as Les Arts Florissants)
Armand Gavriilidès	...	Choeur - Contre-ténor (as Les Arts Florissants)
Simon Heyerick	...	Alto / Viola (as Les Arts Florissants)
David Le Monnier	...	Premier Trachinien
Marie-Ange Petit	...	Percussion (as Les Arts Florissants)
Anne Pichard	...	Choeur - Soprano (as Les Arts Florissants)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

live performance | metamorphosis | opera | paris france

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 2005 (France)

Filming Locations:

Opéra National de Paris Palais Garnier, 8 rue Scribe, Paris 9, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Opéra National de Paris, Bel Air Média, France 2 (FR2)

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #35.10 (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Hercules, Musical drama in three acts"
Music by George Frideric Handel (as Georg Friedrich Händel)
Libretto by Thomas Broughton
Performed by William Shimell, Joyce DiDonato, Toby Spence, Ingela Bohlin,
Malena Ernman, Simon Kirkbride with Les Arts Florissants
Conducted by William Christie

User Reviews

Very interesting

Handel's oratorio is presented here by Luc Bondy in operatic form. And on the most part it is most effective. If I were to be honest though I was not a fan of the production values, the sets are very spare which will be unappealing to some people(especially if you are a traditionalist) and the performers look as though they've just walked off from the street. It did look as though it was part of a rehearsal and for this that was the not the feeling I wanted to have. The scene with Hyllus preparing to leave his mother is rather too casually done. However, the orchestral playing is absolutely fantastic especially in the third act prelude. You can tell that William Christie loves this music and that he specialises in that style, and his lively reading of the score doesn't suggest otherwise. The chorus play narrative and moral roles, both of which are done superbly with the drama sure and the balance between the voices is without fault. The principal singing ranges from very good to outstanding. Toby Spence maybe fares the weakest, mainly because of the scene that I mentioned beforehand being too dramatically casual, but the extreme flexibility of Hyllus' role is done with utmost confidence overall. William Shimell occasionally has moments where he is a little too monochromatic, but vocally and dramatically he is almost always a very commanding lead indeed. Ingela Bohlin is very affecting, with movie-star looks and a truly beautiful voice. Malena Ernman fits the trouser role of Lichas very well, she does bring masculinity to the role and she has a lower register that will take your breath away. The star though is Joyce DiDonato, it is a profoundly moving performance and her technique and singing as always is close to perfect. All in all, a very interesting production. 8/10 Bethany Cox