Nielsen: Saul & David

Johan Reuter (Saul), Ann Petersen (Mikal), Morten Staugaard (Samuel), Susanne Resmark (Witch of Endor), Leif Jone Ølberg (Abner), Signe Sneh Schreiber (Abishai), Niels-Jorgen Riis (David), Michael Kristensen (Jonathan)

The Royal Danish Orchestra & The Royal Danish Opera Chorus, Michael Schønwandt

Michael Schønwandt's expansive conducting conveys its epic scale and lyrical sweep…[Johann Reuter is] excellent here…his stage presence, arrogant yet vulnerable, is compelling. Niels-Jorgen Riis... — BBC Music Magazine, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 29th Jan 2016
Catalogue No: 2110412
Label: Dacapo

Gramophone Magazine

March 2016

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Nielsen: Saul & David

Johan Reuter (Saul), Ann Petersen (Mikal), Morten Staugaard (Samuel), Susanne Resmark (Witch of Endor), Leif Jone Ølberg (Abner), Signe Sneh Schreiber (Abishai), Niels-Jorgen Riis (David), Michael Kristensen (Jonathan)
The Royal Danish Orchestra & The Royal Danish Opera Chorus
Michael Schønwandt

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This DVD presents a spectacular new production of Carl Nielsen's dramatic debut opera, Saul & David from 1901 - a production marking the Royal Danish Opera’s celebration of the composer's 150th anniversary in 2015.

King Saul, bitterly jealous of young David, who won the favour of the people by defeating the giant Goliath, is staged in a highly original fashion by acclaimed English director and Nielsen enthusiast David Pountney, who updates the Biblical story to our own time, lending it psychological and political undertones.

The performance is conducted by Nielsen expert Michael Schønwandt and presents an array of Denmark's leading singers with Johan Reuter in the demanding role of King Saul, Niels-Jørgen Riis as David and Ann Petersen as his beloved Mikal.

“Johan Reuter is overwhelmingly good in what may be the best role of his life.” Opernwelt

“The renowned Nielsen interpreter Michael Schønwandt conducted with great love for the music that never smothered it: drawing warm and polished playing from the orchestra, he gave the impression of really channeling and shaping the music as it pulsed through him” Opera Magazine

Total duration: 2h 12min (132 minutes)

Booklet essays by director David Pountney and Nielsen scholar Knud Ketting

Reviews

Michael Schønwandt's expansive conducting conveys its epic scale and lyrical sweep…[Johann Reuter is] excellent here…his stage presence, arrogant yet vulnerable, is compelling. Niels-Jorgen Riis sings and portrays David more ardently than most…[and] Michael Kristensen makes a stronger than usual impression as the put-upon Jonathan…this is a strong performance which works well on screen.

March 2016

a riveting performance by Johan Reuter in both voice and acted intensity...Pountney's direction and the conducting of Michael Schonwandt help make much of characters who might easily remain sinecures...Orchestra and conductor unroll their home composer's score with richness and dexterity...Hugely recommended.

May 2016

Saving the best until last: Johan Reuter gives us a superlative Saul. Each moment along his internal via dolorosa is precisely and indelibly marked, the broodings and sudden spurts of jealous rage vividly conveyed, from the impetuous error of the first-act sacrifice to self-impalement on the sacrificial hook itself—a tremendous image. What is more, Reuter sings with a generous power and brazen bass beauty that would be hard to better.

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Nielsen: Saul & David

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