|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer [The Flying Dutchman] (Complete opera recorded in 2013) Bayreuth Festival / Samuel Youn, Franz-Josef Selig, Ricarda Merbeth / Christian Thielemann (conductor) [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 20/Aug/2014 ] 2013's revival of Jan Philipp Gloger's controversial 2012 production was greeted (as so often in Bayreuth) with huge acclaim. He translates the tale of the Dutchman, whose travails can only be redeemed through the unconditional love of a woman... |
|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Gotterdammerung (Complete Opera recorded in 1982) Bayreuther Festspiele / Peter Hofmann, Karan Armstrong, Elizabeth Connell, Leif Roar, Siegfried Vogel / Woldemar Nelsson (cond) [ EuroArts DVD / 2 DVD - released 21/Feb/2020 ] DVD re-release of the 1982 exclusive recording of Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin from the Bayreuth Festival, a masterful interpretation from the source of Wagnerian culture itself. Richard Wagner's three-act opera, an exquisitely lyrical piece,... |
|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Tannhäuser (complete opera recorded in 2014) BLU-RAY Bayreuther Festspiele / Torsten Kerl, Camilla Nylund, Markus Eiche, Michelle Breedt / Axel Kobe (conductor) [ Opus Arte Blu-ray / 2 Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Sep/2015 ] "Camilla Nylund's Elisabeth has a range of novel emotions to convey, including humour and sexual interest...Question marks begin with the staging" Gramophone |
|
R. STRAUSS / WAGNER
Waldbühne: A Romantic Opera Night (recorded live in 1999) Ben Heppner (tenor) / Berliner Philharmoniker / James Levine [ ArtHaus Musik DVD / DVD - released 1/Aug/2011 ] Conducted by the celebrated James Levine, the 1999 Waldbühne concert for the Berlin Philharmonic features music by Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner. The orchestra is joined by the accomplished Canadian tenor Ben Heppner, who is renowned for his... |
|
ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY
Zemlinsky: Der Zwerg (complete opera recorded in 2019) Berlin Deutsche / Elena Tsallagova. Emily Magee, Philipp Jekal, Flurina Stucki / Donald Runnicles (cond) [ Naxos DVD / DVD - released 20/May/2020 ] Based on Oscar Wilde's story The Birthday of the Infanta, Zemlinsky's single-act opera Der Zwerg is the tragic tale of a dwarf who is presented at court, falls in love with the beautiful Donna Clara, but is ultimately forced to see himself as others... |
|
FRANCHETTI
Germania (complete opera recorded in 2007) Berlin Opera / Carlo Ventre / Lise Lindstrom / Renato Palumbo (cond) [ Capriccio DVD / DVD - released 12/Sep/2007 ] This DVD recorded live at the Berlin Opera is the first performance of the opera in Germany since its premiere in 1908. |
|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Das Rheingold (complete opera recorded in 2021) Berlin Opera / Derek Welton, Tobias Kehrer, Thomas Blondelle, Markus Blondelle / Sir Donald Runnicles (cond) [ Naxos DVD / DVD - released 16/Feb/2024 ] As early as 1851, Wagner wrote, 'I propose to produce my myth in three complete dramas, preceded by a lengthy Prelude.' The Prelude was Das Rheingold ('The Rhine Gold') the preliminary evening of Wagner's epic tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen ('The... |
|
ERICH KORNGOLD
Korngold: Die Tote Stadt (complete opera recorded in 1983) Berlin Opera / James King, Karan Armstrong, William Murray / Heinrich Hollreiser (cond) [ Arthaus DVD / DVD - released 10/Nov/2012 ] "Götz Freidrich's powerful staging of Korngold's fantasy is performed with sumptuousness, led by Armstrong's Marietta (unsteady) and King's Paul (solid)." (BBC Music) |
|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Die Walkure (complete opera recorded in 2021) Berlin Opera / Nina Stemme, Iain Paterson, Brandon Jovanovich, Elisabeth Teige / Sir Donald Runnicles (cond) [ Naxos DVD / 2 DVD - released 15/Mar/2024 ] Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen ('The Ring of the Nibelung') comprises four operas of which Die Walküre ('The Valkyrie') is the second, famous for its spectacular set-pieces such as the Ride of the Valkyries and Wotan's Farewell. |
|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Die Walkure (complete opera recorded in 2021) Berlin Opera / Nina Stemme, Iain Paterson, Ya-Chung Huang, Tobias Kehrer / Sir Donald Runnicles (cond) [ Naxos DVD / 2 DVD - released 19/Apr/2024 ] Siegfried is the third of the four operas that comprise Wagner's epic tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen ('The Ring of the Nibelung'). Siegfried, raised by the evil dwarf Mime, discovers that he is the son of Siegmund and Sieglinde. He must negotiate... |
|
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Parsifal (complete opera recorded at Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, 1992) Berlin State Opera / Poul Elming, Waltraud Meier, John Tomlinson, Günter von Kannen / Daniel Barenboim [ Euroarts DVD / 3 DVD - released 15/Sep/2016 ] "a must for those who love this work...[Elming] is remarkable in the title role, his concentration and reactions on a par with Jon Vickers's and the voice in pristine shape" (International Record Review) |
|
WAGNER
Sydney Opera House Opening Concert 1973 (including a DVD of highlights from the concert) Birgit Nilsson (soprano) / Sydney Symphony Orchestra / Charles Mackerras [ ABC Classics / 2 CD/DVD - released 1/Jun/2009 ] In September 1973 in front of a packed, emotion charged house Sir Charles Mackerras conducted the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the first concert to be staged in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. The all-Wagner concert featured Wagnerian... |
|
THOMAS LARCHER
Larcher: Das Jagdgewehr [The Hunting Gun] (complete opera) Bregenz Festival / Sarah Aristidou, Giulia Peri, Olivia Vermeulen, Robin Tritschler, Andre Schuen / Michael Boder (cond) [ C Major DVD / DVD - released 1/May/2020 ] "a clear, powerful text, some striking imagery and a luminous score of great beauty and originality ensure this opera's success." (The Observer) |
|
VERDI
Il Trovatore (complete opera recorded in 2006) Carl Tanner / Iano Tamar / Zeljko Lucic / Marianne Cornetti / Vienna Symphony / Thomas Rosner [ Opus Arte DVD / 2 DVD - released 27/Sep/2007 ] G - "It has been said that to achieve a successful Trovatore performance one need only gather the five best singers in the world. Carsen hasn't quite that but he has a handful of first class actors who can also sing." (MusicWeb Oct 2007) |
|
PROKOFIEV / TCHAIKOVSKY / DELIBES / ADAM / TALBOT / etc
The Royal Ballet - The Collection Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo, Edward Watson, Mara Galeazzi, Alina Cojocaru, Marianela Nunez, Darcey Bussell, Wayne McGregor [ Opus Arte Royal Opera House Collection DVD / 15 DVD Box Set - released 10/Nov/2016 ] Celebrating 60 years since the Royal Ballet was awarded its Royal Charter, this magnificent 15-disc collection brings together 22 ballets spanning a decade of dance. |
|
PROKOFIEV / TCHAIKOVSKY / DELIBES / ADAM / STRAVINSKY / etc
An Evening With The Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo, Lauren Cuthbertson, Alina Cojocaru, Marianela Nunez, Darcey Bussell, etc [ Opus Arte Royal Opera House Collection DVD / DVD - released 20/Feb/2013 ] "This compilation taster of the great classics offers knockout performances, leaving one hankering to see the complete work. Don't miss Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg in Giselle." (BBC Music) |
|
PROKOFIEV
The Love for Three Oranges (recorded live in 2005) Charles Workman / José Van Dam / Philippe Rouillon / Barry Banks / Béatrice Uria-Monzon / Opéra National de Paris / Sylvain Cambreling [ ArtHaus Musik DVD / DVD - released 26/Oct/2011 ] Conducted by 20th century specialist Sylvain Cambreling and sung in the original French version by superb singer-actors, this production presents a stage performance set in perfect harmony with Prokofiev's inventive music. |
|
DELIBES
Coppelia (complete ballet recorded in 2001) Charline Giezendanner / Mathieu Ganio / Pierre Lacotte / École De Danse And Opéra National De Paris / David Coleman [ Arthaus Musik DVD / DVD - released 1/Jul/2011 ] On the programme this evening is Coppélia, or the girl with the enamel eyes by Léo Delibes. The excitement among the girls is great because today they will be performing in the (reproduced) scenery and costumes which at the premiere on 25 May 1870... |
|
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Don Giovanni (complete opera recorded in 2023) Robert Gleadow, Riccardo Novaro, Florie Valiquette, Arianna Vendittelli Chœur & Orchestre de l'Opéra Royal; Gaétan Jarry [ Château de Versailles Spectacles DVD / Blu-ray / 2 Blu-ray Disc/DVD - released 23/Aug/2024 ] "Robert Gleadow's fast-thinking Giovanni summons up boundless vocal and physical energy...Musically, the period instrumentalists of the Orchestre de L'Opéra Royal offer excellent, amply scaled playing." BBC Music Five Stars |
|
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
The Turn of the Screw (complete opera) City of London Sinfonia / Richard Hickox / Mark Padmore / Lisa Milne / Catrin Wyn Davies / Diana Montague / Nicholas Kirby Johnson / Caroline Wise [ BBC / Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 2/Mar/2005 ] G :- "With its short intimate scenes and concentrated lines, the Screw is so cinematic that it's surprising there's only been one previous film. This has just won a Viennese TV award. It's one of the truest opera films to date." (BBC Music) |