Admeto (Festspielorchester Gottingen) (Blu-ray)

This 2009 opera production constitutes a unique effort, in the sense that stage direction was handled by Oscar nominee Doris Dörrie (MEN. . .), one of Germany's most popular and critically acclaimed film directors. This choice was far from arbitrary: as Dörrie's fans will recall, Japan is one of her favorite subjects, and this particular version of Georg Friderich Handel's 1727 opera Admeto transfers much of the action to the Samurai culture of feudal Japan, with aesthetically vivid sets and costumes designed by Bernd Lepel. The production stars Tim Mead as the title character, Marie Arnet as Alceste, William Berger as Ercole and Andrew Radley as Orindo. The production itself was filmed live at the Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen, Deutsches Theater, from May 25-28, 2009. The Festspiel Orchester Götingen, under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, lends musical accompaniment, while Tadashi Endo-choreographed contributions The Mamu Dance Theatre accentuate the production.