Cyndia Sieden

The special aspect of the opera Alceste is its designation as the "first opera in the German language." The ancient drama about Alceste was written in the form of a play for theater by the Enlightenment playwright Christoph Marlin Wieland and set to music by the acclaimed late-18th-century composer Anton Schweitzer. This performance of the newly edited opera based on the historic play was begging to be captured on DVD. The demanding singing parts are delivered in brilliant manner by the four soloists, ably accompanied by Concerto Koln, one of the most renowned early music ensembles.

Katherine Gerard has lost her son Andre to AIDS. At his memorial service, we follow Katherine confronting the death of her son, the anguish of his lover Cal Porter, and, in flashbacks, the key moments of denial and miscommunication with those closest to her.