Credits:

Ottavio Dantone, Accademia Bizantina, Charles Workman, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani

Description:

MondeVerdi's "The Return of Ulysses" is said to be the most profound, tender, and moving depiction of the magnificent world of Homer's epic poem in music. It is one of the masterpieces of his later years, composed by MondeVerdi, who was the music director of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, to the story of the hero Ulysses (Ulysses), who returns home after undergoing severe trials on his journey from Troyes, reunites with his beloved Queen Penelope, and restores his kingdom. Performed at the Florence May Music Festival (Teatro Pelagola), this production was staged against the backdrop of a unique stage design (gods in the balcony, humans on stage in a singing performance) by the duo of Robert Carsen & Ian Burton, harpsichordist and Conductor Ottavio D'Antone, who has described the work as "Monteverdi's finest work," manipulated the Accademia Bizantina, which uses the lute, theorbo, and six-string violone for the bass continuo, faithfully reproducing the rich 17th-century sound. The veteran singers Charles Workman (Ulisse) and Delphine Gallou (Penelope), along with young singers, sing with great expression, and weave a brilliant music. Penelope's wife laments the fact that her husband, King Ulisse, has not returned home despite his victory in the Trojan War. She is also troubled by three suitors who sit in her husband's absence at court and behave in an unmannerly manner.Ulisse is saved by the goddess Minerva and returns to her homeland in a shabby state. Penelope, having given up hope that Ulisse is dead, accepts her suitor's proposal and declares that she will marry the one who draws her husband's bow and shoots the arrow the furthest, but no one can draw Ulisse's bow. But no one can pull her mighty bow. Then Ulisse, disguised as a beggar, pulls the bow with no difficulty... Naxos Japan