Mozart - Betulia Liberata [2 DVDs] - Universal/Music/DVD

"Interpreters"
Ozia - Jeremy Ovenden
Giuditta - Marijana Mijanovic
Amital - Julia Kleiter
Achior - Franz-Josef Selig
Cabri - Irena Bespalovaite
Carmi - Jennifer Johnston

Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor
Chorus Master: Andreas Schüller
Münchener Kammerorchester
Conductor: Christoph Poppen



Is the assassination of a tyrant legitimate? That is the theme of "Betulia liberata", based on the murder of Nebuchadnezzar's commander Holofernes by the Jewish widow Judith. Mozart had high regard for this seldom heard early work. In this "constantly riveting" (Münchner Merkur) Salzburg presentation, Judith's arias are sung by Marijana Mijanovic "with glowing ccontralto timbre ... Technically flawless, soprano Julia Kleiter put body and soul into every note" (Salzburger Volkszeitung)