---
product_id: 14501098
title: "Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Benjamin Luxon, Janet Baker, Robert Lloyd, Richard Lewis, Anne Howells, Raymond Leppard, Glyndebourne Opera"
price: "VT5610"
currency: VUV
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/14501098-monteverdi-il-ritorno-dulisse-in-patria-benjamin-luxon-janet-baker
store_origin: VU
region: Vanuatu
---

# Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Benjamin Luxon, Janet Baker, Robert Lloyd, Richard Lewis, Anne Howells, Raymond Leppard, Glyndebourne Opera

**Price:** VT5610
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Benjamin Luxon, Janet Baker, Robert Lloyd, Richard Lewis, Anne Howells, Raymond Leppard, Glyndebourne Opera
- **How much does it cost?** VT5610 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/14501098-monteverdi-il-ritorno-dulisse-in-patria-benjamin-luxon-janet-baker)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

This production of Monteverdi's opera was recorded during the 1973 Glyndebourne season. It is the story of Ulysses' attempt to thwart the will of the Gods in impeding his return to Ithaca. The production stars Janet Baker, Benjamin Luxon, Raymond Leppard and Peter Hall, with The London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Review: Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria - I never saw 'Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria' live but was fortunate to see it in a live television performance and, at long last, have a copy of the DVD, courtesy of desertcart. The recording is presumably a video or even film of a live production of the Opera given at Glyndbourne during the 1970s when Raymond Leppard and Peter Hall conspired to recreate something which gave a flavour of early opera, in terms of music, drama, stage machinery and costumes of the period. However, beyond the mechanics is a performance by Janet Baker and Benjamin Luxon which brings to life a vibrant slice of life, a near tragedy, great longing, revenge and, ultimately, reconcilliation. The story os simple, after ten years Ulisses returns to his homeland. Recognised by his old retainer and later his son Telemachus, he is advised by Minerva to be cunning and disguises him as a beggar because his wife, the faithful Penelope, is in great danger from the attentions of rival suitors who wish to marry her in order to ravage Ulisses kingdom by their greed. In disguise Ulisses arrives at his palace when the suitors have made it plain that Penelope may no longer prevaricate and must choose between them. Inspired by Minerva, she says she will accept anyone who is able to shoot Ulisses' bow. The suitors try but all fail and the beggar Ulisses asks to try. He strings the bow with ease and kills the suitors and conspiritors. Thus he has doubly won Penelope - by faithful love and victory of arms. At first Penelope is shocked and confused, even when Ulisses is returnedto his own form by Minerva butgradually persuades her it is he by describing the coverlet on her bed which she had woven, depicting chaste Diana, which only he could have seen. The opera is about longing, loss and reconcilliation but it is the power and beauty of Baker's voice, truthful, powerful and subtle which is the focus. She underplays the drama, touches the soul with her voice, her majestic presence, a public and confiding voice draws the viewer-listener to share her anguish, dread and longing. Luxon's voice is at his best, assured, bell-like and seductive. His duets with Minerva, Telemachus and the old retainer are joyous and mirror Baker's twists of mood. It is, however, the final act, with the stage empty of all but Ulisses and Penelope, he on the far right she far left,that the drama reaches its natural, human and dramatic conclusion; recognition, (signalled by the 'ting' of a cymbal,) a gradual moving together and finally they embrace and sing the most bitter-sweet duet not heard again until the Count and Countess Almaviva reconcilliation duet written by Mozart in last Act of the Marriage of Figaro. It is only as an afterthought that one realises that the ending is a conclusion, a resolution but also a beginning...
Review: Fantastic singing and acting; great drama and pathos - I was not at all familiar with this opera before viewing it but was familiar with The Odyssey, a story I've loved since high school English class, so I took a chance. At first I found the production very odd - the opening scene made me think I'd made a terrible mistake with its sparse stage, tacky props, and singers dropping from the ceiling like flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. It seemed rather amateurish (and quite dated). But once Janet Baker and Benjamin Luxon took the stage, I was hooked. Their singing is fantastic - strong, passionate and resonant, and their facial expressions perfectly convey their emotions. The costumes were also wonderful, and the music glorious. I found it odd that the conductor and audience were never shown, nor do we get to see the performers take their bows. Based on the tepid applause, I'd have to guess the crowd was pretty small, or half asleep, for these performers surely deserved a greater ovation. Aside from these minor gripes, I was very pleased with this opera and this performance. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fine singing, early music, or the Ulysses story. I am now an admiring fan of Monteverdi and of both lead singers. Hang in there after the quirky prologue and you're in for a treat.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN  | B000C1V880 |
| Actors  | Gbc, Ian Caley, Janet Baker, Lpo, Ugo Trama |
| Aspect Ratio  | 1.33:1 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #62,767 in Movies & TV ( See Top 100 in Movies & TV ) #1,197 in Opera & Vocal (CDs & Vinyl) #1,327 in Music Videos & Concerts (Movies & TV) #3,984 in Classical (CDs & Vinyl) |
| Customer Reviews | 3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars (21) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer  | No |
| Language  | Italian (PCM Stereo) |
| MPAA rating  | NR (Not Rated) |
| Media Format  | Classical, Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled |
| Number of discs  | 1 |
| Product Dimensions  | 7.75 x 5.75 x 0.53 inches; 3.2 ounces |
| Release date  | January 17, 2006 |
| Run time  | 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Studio  | Arthaus |
| Subtitles:  | English, German, Italian, Spanish |

## Images

![Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Benjamin Luxon, Janet Baker, Robert Lloyd, Richard Lewis, Anne Howells, Raymond Leppard, Glyndebourne Opera - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61QRtxbNiNL.jpg)
![Monteverdi - Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria / Benjamin Luxon, Janet Baker, Robert Lloyd, Richard Lewis, Anne Howells, Raymond Leppard, Glyndebourne Opera - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/312YfOJtakL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria
*by F***S on September 11, 2009*

I never saw 'Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria' live but was fortunate to see it in a live television performance and, at long last, have a copy of the DVD, courtesy of Amazon. The recording is presumably a video or even film of a live production of the Opera given at Glyndbourne during the 1970s when Raymond Leppard and Peter Hall conspired to recreate something which gave a flavour of early opera, in terms of music, drama, stage machinery and costumes of the period. However, beyond the mechanics is a performance by Janet Baker and Benjamin Luxon which brings to life a vibrant slice of life, a near tragedy, great longing, revenge and, ultimately, reconcilliation. The story os simple, after ten years Ulisses returns to his homeland. Recognised by his old retainer and later his son Telemachus, he is advised by Minerva to be cunning and disguises him as a beggar because his wife, the faithful Penelope, is in great danger from the attentions of rival suitors who wish to marry her in order to ravage Ulisses kingdom by their greed. In disguise Ulisses arrives at his palace when the suitors have made it plain that Penelope may no longer prevaricate and must choose between them. Inspired by Minerva, she says she will accept anyone who is able to shoot Ulisses' bow. The suitors try but all fail and the beggar Ulisses asks to try. He strings the bow with ease and kills the suitors and conspiritors. Thus he has doubly won Penelope - by faithful love and victory of arms. At first Penelope is shocked and confused, even when Ulisses is returnedto his own form by Minerva butgradually persuades her it is he by describing the coverlet on her bed which she had woven, depicting chaste Diana, which only he could have seen. The opera is about longing, loss and reconcilliation but it is the power and beauty of Baker's voice, truthful, powerful and subtle which is the focus. She underplays the drama, touches the soul with her voice, her majestic presence, a public and confiding voice draws the viewer-listener to share her anguish, dread and longing. Luxon's voice is at his best, assured, bell-like and seductive. His duets with Minerva, Telemachus and the old retainer are joyous and mirror Baker's twists of mood. It is, however, the final act, with the stage empty of all but Ulisses and Penelope, he on the far right she far left,that the drama reaches its natural, human and dramatic conclusion; recognition, (signalled by the 'ting' of a cymbal,) a gradual moving together and finally they embrace and sing the most bitter-sweet duet not heard again until the Count and Countess Almaviva reconcilliation duet written by Mozart in last Act of the Marriage of Figaro. It is only as an afterthought that one realises that the ending is a conclusion, a resolution but also a beginning...

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic singing and acting; great drama and pathos
*by T***S on February 18, 2018*

I was not at all familiar with this opera before viewing it but was familiar with The Odyssey, a story I've loved since high school English class, so I took a chance. At first I found the production very odd - the opening scene made me think I'd made a terrible mistake with its sparse stage, tacky props, and singers dropping from the ceiling like flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. It seemed rather amateurish (and quite dated). But once Janet Baker and Benjamin Luxon took the stage, I was hooked. Their singing is fantastic - strong, passionate and resonant, and their facial expressions perfectly convey their emotions. The costumes were also wonderful, and the music glorious. I found it odd that the conductor and audience were never shown, nor do we get to see the performers take their bows. Based on the tepid applause, I'd have to guess the crowd was pretty small, or half asleep, for these performers surely deserved a greater ovation. Aside from these minor gripes, I was very pleased with this opera and this performance. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fine singing, early music, or the Ulysses story. I am now an admiring fan of Monteverdi and of both lead singers. Hang in there after the quirky prologue and you're in for a treat.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not as bad as all that!
*by R***A on June 22, 2008*

This performance, dating from 1973, features a cast of excellent English singers. Ben Luxon and Janet Baker are the leading characters and both have fine voices and polished artistry. The accompaniment is not as lean, thanks to Mr. Leppard's edition, as more modern representations but it is not as unbearable as another reviewer has indicated. One positive thing about the production is it's simplicity and directness. There is no attempt to liven up the action having the singers lurch about between each phrase. Monteverdi's operas are very static and many stage directors seem to fall all over themselves to disguise this fact. After a few viewings, this becomes annoying and ceases to serve the purpose for which it was intended. One can carp about a lack of authenticity (do we really know what that was in Monteverdi's time?) or just enjoy the production for what is does deliver. Not being a native speaker of Italian I find that several hours of recitative does not hold my interest. The cuts in this opera are welcome.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/14501098-monteverdi-il-ritorno-dulisse-in-patria-benjamin-luxon-janet-baker](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/14501098-monteverdi-il-ritorno-dulisse-in-patria-benjamin-luxon-janet-baker)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu*
*Store origin: VU*
*Last updated: 2026-05-07*