Recorded live at Het Muziektheater Amsterdam on 15 & 20 January 2009 Commissioned to celebrate the marriage of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and Marie Thérèse of Spain, the original production of Cavallis Ercole Amante took two years to complete and, at the time, was the grandest show ever performed in Europe. DNOs contemporary, hilarious and surreal production, directed by David Alden, is a triumph of opera buffa, a riot of decoration and symbolism complemented by Constance Hoffmans exceptional costumes. Luca Pisaronis Ercole is heroic and melodious in turn, Veronica Cangemi is a splendid Iole, and the Chorus of De Nederlandse Opera and Concerto Köln give a sublime performance under Ivor Bolton, a master of baroque music. Ercole: Luca Pisaroni Iole: Veronica Cangemi Giunone: Anna Bonitatibus Illo: Jeremy Ovenden Deianira: Anna Maria Panzarella Licco: Marlin Miller Nettuno/Tevere/Spirit of Eutyro: Umberto Chiummo Bellezza/Venere: Wilke te Brummelstroete Cinzia/Pasitea/Spirit of Clerica: Johannette Zomer Mercurio/Spirit of Laomedonte: Mark Tucker A Page/Spirit of Bussiride: Tim Mead Concerto Köln Chorus of De Nederlandse Opera Conductor: Ivor Bolton Stage Director: David Alden opera in a prologue and five acts music Francesco Cavalli (16021676) libretto Francesco Buti ballet music Jean-Baptiste Lully words Récit de Vénus by Isaac de Benserade Available from Opus Arte on Blu-ray and DVD http://www.opusarte.com/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=Amante&format= Please 'Like' us at http://www.facebook.com/opusarte

CavalliErcole AmanteDNODe Nederlanse OperaLuca PisaroniVeronica CangemiAnna BonitatibusJohannette Zomeropera buffaOperaOpus Artecostumessun kingbaroque musicHercules in love