Ritorno d'Ulisse - Dormo ancora - Thomas Allen

Claudio Monteverdi "Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria" (freely adapted by Hans Werner Henze)
Salzburg Festival, 1985 (or 1987)
Ulisse - Thomas Allen
conductor - Jeffrey Tate
My first Monteverdi opera... I know, I know, not very historically-informed, but enough to make me fall in love with this work. And I'm still moved by Kuhlmann's Penelope and Allen's Ulisse...

[@drtmuir]

Coming back here after several years - - - yup, his Italian is still incredible. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🍝🍷🛵👏👏👏

[@cosifantutte90]

I too have noticed the way he moves on stage...he moves like a dancer, not only just walking about and things like that but the gestures he does with his hands is utterly graceful. Very mesmerising to watch. It's true that he doesn't have to speak or sing at all to convey what he's feeling...his solid understanding of body language and facial expression is enough for most people watching him.

[@antonioamadeuspinnetti1156]

Amazing

[@cosifantutte90]

Marvellous performance...and equally powerful singing. I was getting the impression of not only watching a singer at work but also a talented dramatic actor. He could have made a successful career in the theatre if he wanted to.

[@Floriat]

It was my first Monteverdi opera as well! And me too - I felt in love with Tom. And with the composer. Kuhlmaan is heartbreaking! I saw her singing the same role in Koln, unfortunately it was not the same Thomas - I had Hampson instead of Allen.

[@interpreterr]

Glad you both enjoyed it. I find this scene very moving (it's the first thing I check in any Ulisse recording I lay my hands on -:)

[@a96agli]

Beautiful singing, all through.

[@interpreterr]

I heard thim sing UIisse much more recently (3-4 years ago in Munich) - one of the most moving performances I've ever seen/heard.

[@interpreterr]

As for Allen's acting - that's one of the things I like about him. I often enjoy his performances even when he's not singing and just "is" on stage. Look at his face when he meets Telemaco (in another bit from this production I posted) - brilliant. And in roles such as Don Alfonso (Jonathan Miller's staging in particular) he doesn't have to sing at all, as far as I'm concerned -:)

[@interpreterr]

Oh yes, it's always a plus -:) But there are attractive singers who leave me completely cold. In Allen's case it's also the way he moves on stage. I once talked to a German lady who had just seen him for the first time (in Fledermaus) and she asked me if he'd ever taken ballet lessons!

[@AllAboutSharp]

Hi mikitavi. Just some thoughts: There is just one particello as the source of the opera and it has been meant to be embellished and enriched by the players during the performances (either by improvisation or prior arrangement by the conductor). Not really knowing, how they did it during that period, we can imitate works from the same period or try something totally different, like Henze. Obviously there are some weaker parts (like 2:48 - 3:00), but in general I find the approach very inspiring.

[@interpreterr]

Don't think about how you feel about this version, just enjoy it! :D I see no reason why you should not enjoy Henze's classicalisation and a very historically informed one - I do! I think it's a measure of a work's greatness, when it can move people in very different renditions.

[@AllAboutSharp]

I am absolutely fascinated by this version of the opera. Knowing the opera pretty well, I think it is done very well. Especially the orchestral colours before (O sogno1:55) are fabulous! And Thomas Allen is simply wonderful and at his vocal best. Thank you for posting this.

[@friederikemussgnug8880]

I've seen a stage production of this in 1995 in Cologne. It was instant addiction from the first, made a lasting impression and laid the foundation for my love of Monteverdi's operras.

[@interpreterr]

I've seen that ORFEO and liked it a lot. It's one of the things I do like Keenlyside in - sometimes he leaves me completely cold (excellent singer that he is), but this time it wasn't the case.

[@interpreterr]

I've explored other Monteverdi operas but Ulisse remains a firm favourite - I try to see/hear every Ulisse I can. How was Hampson in that performance? That's someone I'd like to see in this opera (though I have some reservations about him:). Agree about Kuhlmann - truly regal and so very moving!

[@interpreterr]

And yes, I have heard L'ORFEO. I'm not (yet) as fond of it as I'm of ULISSE, but, who knows, maybe this will change one day...

[@a96agli]

Plus he is rather easy on the eye, which is a plus ;D

[@mikitavi]

"freely adapted"... Very freely, I must say! They took an early baroque opera (that is usually [should be?] performed in the baroque way) and totally calssicalized it!! As a baroque nut (and classical hater!), I'm not sure how I feel about that. But, it's a Monteverdi opera, and no one can ruin his work. It's just too beautiful. By the way, have you heard L'Orfeo? If you haven't - DO IT NOW! The GREATEST and most beautiful opera ever written. EVER.