5/5 IF I COULD GIVE IT MORE STARS, I WOULD
  by Enrique Hernandez (Miami, FL)
LA CALISTO has become one of my favorite operas. I like the kaleidoscopic range of voices. Marcello Lippi, in a taxing role, plays both Jove AND Jove impersonating Diana. The role requires him to sing in two totally different ranges. But the whole cast is excellent. Maria Bayo is very good here as la Calisto. A previous reviewer called this opera "camp," but it's too fine to be camp (despite the cross dressing). The classical subject (how the nymph Calisto is seduced by Jove, transformed into a bear by his jealous wife Hera, and eventually becomes the constellation Ursa Major) is very elegantly handled. The production has an intimate-yet-lavish feel, like a royal masque. It's conducted to perfection on period instruments by Rene Jacobs (in very fine form here), and sung to the hilt by the entire cast. And the music itself? As if Orpheus had written it, a cross between Monteverdi and Handel. I'll definitely be looking for more Cavalli in the future. Also included is a one hour "making of" feature, and a few other extras. The 2 disc set is exquisitely packaged by Harmonia Mundi. I give it my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation, particularly if you're a fan of baroque opera. The opera is geared to adults. It has phallic imagery and the sexual theme is sometimes treated explicity (although there's no nudity).

By the way, I fell so in love with this opera, that I did some reading on Francesco Cavalli, a composer of whom I was totally ignorant. Unfortunately, I was not able to find more of his operas on DVD, but for your information (and delectation), here's a little bit about him, quoted from BAKER'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF MUSICIANS, FOURTH EDITION: "A pupil of Monteverdi, his chief works were dramatic (41 operas), which show a marked advance, both in breadth of form and power of expression, rhythmic and melodic, over his master. His 'Giasone' (Venice, 1649) was applauded on all the chief stages of Italy; his 'Serse' (Venice, 1654) was the opera chosen for the marriage festivities of Louis XIV in 1660, and his 'Ercole amante' was written for the inaugeration of the hall of the Tuileries (1662). [Cavalli] was also a fine organist, and composed a noble Requiem, and much good church-music." Let's hope more of Cavalli's 41 operas find their way onto our contemporary stage!

5/5 Delightful
  by Dr. J. J. Kregarman (Denver, Colorado United States)
La Calisto is a sexy comedic drama with some gorgeous music well played by Rene Jacob's musicians and beautifully sung by a cast who command the stage. An informative 54' documentary and an excellent enclosed booklet complete the package. The sound and picture quality are both excellent.

5/5 Monteverdi meets Benny Hill?
  by Steven Guy (Croydon, South Australia)
Now this is fun!

I cannot describe this opera production to you, you'll just have to see it for yourself. However, let me say that the whole thing is done with a great sense of fun and it is utterly camp. "Tongue in cheek"? You betchya!Sort of the musical equivalent of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and, yes, it is that good! The production is character driven and the small stage features few sets, however this is a very colourful and visually satisfying production. The walls around the stage are a riot of colour and design and the costumes are beautiful and "kind-of" authentic, well, at least they look typically Baroque in a generic Baroque way!

The cast is perfect. Maria Bayo is simply wonderful and beguiling as the chaste and "chased" Calisto. Marcello Lippi in both baritone and countertenor modes is delightful as the "Don Giovanni-esque" Giove and only too willing to get into drag to get the girl! Hans Peter Kammerer is his sidekick, Mercurio, a very Leporello-ish role. Great Aussie countertenor, Graham Pushee, is marvellous the heroic Endimione. French countertenor, Dominique Visse, is incredible as Satirino and he shows, once again, that he is probably one of the best character actor Baroque singers in the business.

The orchestra of Concerto Vocale consists of strings, cornetts, recorders, dulcian and lots of keyboards and lutes. Fans of the cornetto will be in for a real treat! The Bear ciaconna is a highlight.

The whole thing is a fabulous romp from start to finish. Francesco Cavalli was certainly an incredible composer and he seems to have known how to provide a great night's worth of entertainment. Sure, he was no Monteverdi, and don't expect this work to rival "L'incoronazione di Poppea" or "Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria" for depth or insight into the human experience (Cavalli wasn't the psychologist and intellectual Monteverdi was), Cavalli was simply out to entertain with "La Calisto" and "entertain" he certainly does. So "La Calisto" is great adult entertainment and it was written for sophisticated adults who enjoy a good laugh, a bit of sex, a bit of "Camp" [with a capital "C"] and have a sense of the absurd.

"Cheeky"?
Ooooooh yeah!

Great to see Harmonia Mundi France finally getting into the DVD market.