Any production from the Catalan theatre company La Fura dels Baus is sure to be an eye-popping affair, and that is certainly the case with Carlus Padrissa’s staging of Franz Joseph Haydn’s 1798 oratorio, based on the creation narrative in Genesis. Musically, it is a joyous work, moving from an orchestral opening depicting chaos up through the biblical seven days of God’s work, capped by a lovely duet for Adam and Eve, and a resounding final choral celebration. Filmed at France’s Auditorium, La Seine Musicale, Île Seguin, in May 2017, the musical side of this production is quite good: the original-instrument band Insula and the Accentus choir acquit themselves ably under Laurence Equilbey’s baton, while the vocalism by soprano Mari Eriksmoen (doubling as the angel Gabriel and Eve), tenor Martin Mitterrutzner (Uriel), and baritone Daniel Schmutzhard (Raphael/Adam) is fine. But the gargantuan staging too often overwhelms the score, with cranes that hoist the soloists (outfitted in elaborate costumes) high into the air, ultra-bright lights, flamboyant video projections (often featuring banal aphorisms or footage of oversized animals and insects), an aquarium in which the singers are periodically dunked, and scads of luminous helium balloons. And a narrative thread involving refugees, in which the choristers hold modern tablets, only adds to the sense of overkill. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray edition) and PCM stereo, extras include a "making-of" featurette. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
Die Schöpfung
(2017) 138 min. In German w/English subtitles. DVD or Blu-ray: $24.99. Naxos (avail. from most distributors). Volume 34, Issue 5
Die Schöpfung
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