André Grétry: Peter The Great

From the Helikon Opera Moscow 2002
Comic Opera in Two Acts
Sung in French, with dialogue in Russian

Nikolai Dorozhkin, Anna Grechishkina, Mikhail Davydov, Chorus and Orchestra of the Helikon Opera, Sergey Stadler

A rarity on Arthaus this month, a performance of Peter the Great staged to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St.Petersburg.
Gretry's opera, premiered in Paris 1790, is one of the first operas about Russian emperor Peter I. Despite the fact that there are real historical characters in the comic opera, it reminds a fairy tale. There are no negative characters here; no one performs improper deeds; Virtue, Friendship and Sincerity are glorified.
Andre Gretry has been described as the "Molière of music". He studied in Rome and later settled in Paris, and the multiple influences he absorbed over these two periods of his life can be keenly felt in his music. He is mainly known for his opéra-comique works, of which there are over 50.


Sound Format: PCM Stereo, Dolby Surround 5.1, DTS
Picture Format: 4:3
Menu Languages: D, F, GB, SP
Subtitles Languages: IT, D, F, GB, SP
Region Code: 0 worldwide
Running Time: 146 mins
DVD 9 / NTSC