In 2009, Claus Guth staged a highly impressive Messiah at the Theater an der Wien; with Saul, he created again breathtaking musical theater at its finest. Florian Boesch in the title role dominates the production as the ruler slipping into madness. Boesch is an elemental force that attracts attention on stage like a black hole. As David, British countertenor Jake Arditti gives a perfect presentation of the change from the innocent boy to the man who, after many dramatic events, becomes Saul’s successor. Anna Prohaska (Merab), Giulia Semenzato (Michal) and Rupert Charlesworth (Jonathan) perform convincingly the roles of Saul’s children who succumb to David’s physical and spiritual charms. The Freiburger Barockorchester under Christopher Moulds holds a finely textured balance between the powerful ensemble and delicate solo passages of Handel’s score. The Arnold Schoenberg Choir’s nuanced singing – alternately exulting, admonitory or mournful – is as inspiring as the sound of the renowned period-instrument ensemble.

“The pure Handel stroke of luck!” – Neue Musikzeitung

“Handel vividly, today, as a mirror of the metamorphoses of power.” – Kurier

“Florian Boesch as Saul is a vocal and acting elemental force, simply an ideal cast.” – Die Presse

Recording date: Theater an der Wien, April 2021
Sound format: PCM Stereo, DTS-HD MA 5.1
Picture: 1080i, 16:9
Booklet: English, German, French
Subtitles: English (Original Language), German, French, Korean, Japanese
- Documentary: German, English
Total running time: 158 mins