The Combat of Tancredi and Clorinda by Monteverdi, Tue 11 Jan 2000, From (2000/2000), Directed by Geoffrey Layton,, Conductor Konrad Junghänel, Wilminktheater, Enschede, Netherlands

Konrad Junghänel and Cantus Cölln, two names who guarantee their beautiful interpretations, will perform a selection of the most beautiful madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi. The Madrigali Guerrieri ed Amorosi are among the most beautiful and intense music Claudio Monteverdi ever wrote. These madrigals, supplemented by others from books IV , VI , VIII and IX , form the basis of this performance. Director Geoffrey Layton, who was assistant to Peter Stein and Karl-Ernst Herrmann for many years and has been active as an independent director for some time now, manages to string these madrigals together into a fascinating dramatic whole with the battle between the sexes as the common thread. The highlight of this performance is undoubtedly Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda. Performers are the vocal and instrumental ensemble Cantus Cölln conducted by Konrad Junghänel, two names that guarantee a top-notch interpretation! On the occasion of the première in Utrecht during the Early Music Festival, the Rotterdams Dagblad wrote: “Combattimenti is one of the most enchanting opera productions ever created in the Netherlands. While it's not even an opera. Because this is a scenic performance of eleven Monteverdi madrigals strung together. The way in which, in director Geoffrey Layton, nature - masterly lighting, bird sounds - influences the often sad, yet weightless situations is reminiscent of Karl-Ernst Hermann's best Brussels productions.”