Handel Agrippina opera to a libretto by Vincenzo Grimani. Directed 2008 by Peter Lund at the Saarbrücken State Theatre. Stars Susanne Geb (Agrippina), Hiroshi Matsui (Claudio), Elizabeth Wiles (Poppea), Judith Braun (Nerone), David Cordier (Ottone), Steve Wächter (Narciso), and Guido Baehr (Lesbo). Konrad Junghänel conducts the Saarländisches Staatsorchester and the Cantus Cölln vocal ensemble. Released 2013, disc has surround sound. Grade: NA
This is an obscure opera performed at a small opera house, the recording of which is now being offered by an even more obscure publisher called at different places Entertainment One, or Intergroove Media, or Intergroove Classics.
Intergroove seems to play an important role in what I think is called the "torture porn" segment of the video entertainment market. They have one of the worst websites I've seen. They have not furnished the vendors with pictures of the back side of the Blu-ray keepcase. I haven't been able, despite diligence, to get all the usual information about the disc. Several vendors say it is restricted to Region A; but I doubt that, because many vendors in Region B are offering this. There is no good information about the sound---I suspect Dolby Digital. I can't find credits for sets, costumes, lighting, TV direction and the like. Presto Classical doesn’t carry this. There is a SD YouTube clip about this that is not encouraging.
I would not expect too much from this title. On the other hand, small German opera houses can produce jewel-quality performances. Amazon customer reviews suggest this is probably an OK buy if you really want an Agrippina. But people who make torture porn movies might be capable of writing a few fake reviews on amazon. If you know anything about this title, please share it with us.