A concert of Mozart vocal and symphonic works sung by mezzo Cecilia Bartoli with the Concentus Musicus Wien under conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt at the 2001 Styriarte Festival in Graz, the first half of the program consists of five arias--two for insertion into operas by other composers, two to substitute for Susanna's originals in a revival of Le Nozze di Figaro, and one written specifically for concert performance. Bartoli dispatches them with great agility and finesse, her singing consistently adept if not always interpretatively profound. After intermission, Harnoncourt returns to direct the group he founded in a characteristically idiosyncratic performance of Symphony No. 38 (“Prague”). Though the orchestra plays on period instruments, Harnoncourt's reading, with its muscular approach, abrupt tempo changes, large gestures and pronounced pauses, sounds more romantic than classical; taking all the repeats even extends it to Beethovenian length. It's an interesting take on the piece, if arguably a slightly perverse one; but at least no one can accuse it of being overly dainty or prettified. Sporting nicely varied photography and excellent sound--with DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and stereo options--the DVD also features rehearsal and interview footage, as well as a brief documentary on the making of the film. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Cecilia Sings Mozart
(2001) 112 min. DVD: $24.99. BBC/Opus Arte (dist. by Naxos of America). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 4
Cecilia Sings Mozart
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