Christoph Prégardien - DVD & Blu-ray videos

World famous tenor Christoph Prégardien continues his series of recordings for Challenge Classics of Schubert song-cycles, with what many consider to be the composer’s greatest work in the genre “Winterreise”. As with previous critically acclaimed releases in the series the pianist is Michael Gees. This DVD release features video of a performance of the work as well as the documentary “Winterreise, Der dritte Weg” (Winterreise, the third way), which presents interviews with Prégardien and Gees and behind-the-scenes footage of the studio recording process.

DVD specifications:

Region code: 0 (region free)

Rating: E (exempt)

Picture format: 16:9, NTSC (region free)

Sound format: Stereo Dolby Digital 2.0, Surround Dolby Digital 5.1

Commissioned for the coronation of Leopold II in Prague, Mozart’s last opera is a deep, humane reflection on relationships, power and forgiveness. With the composition of some of the most beautiful passages in his oeuvre, Mozart has succeeded in giving this opera seria both a noble sobriety and transparent instrumentation, to which this commanding production by the Herrmann partnership does full justice on all levels. Susan Graham’s most extraordinary Sesto and Christoph Prégardien’s superb Tito set the standard for this riveting Opéra national de Paris performance, conducted by the outstanding Sylvain Cambreling.

“An evening of overwhelming beauty.” Le Monde

“Everybody was taken by the warmth and the emotion in Susan Graham’s voice as well as her breathtaking acting.” Le Figaro

Running time 212 mins

Region code All regions

Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4

Disc size: BD50

Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9

Sound format 2.0 PCM & 5.0 DTS Master Audio

Menu language EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT

Christoph Prégardien is one of the most established singers of our time. He has especially excelled in his interpretations of German Romantic Lieder and won Orphée d'Or der Académie du Disque Lyrique - Prix Georg Solti, Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, Edison Award, Cannes Classical Award and Diapason d'Or for these interpretations, easy to understand when one hears his controlled, beautifully-phrased yet emotional and tender singing.

Prégardien states, himself, that he believes that the listener is important for the development of material and one can feel how much he enjoys the intimate setting of this concert - which is not unlike the original setting in which Schubert, amidst his friends, created and developed the pieces. Michael Gees and Christoph Prégardien have been working together for a long time and one can feel their strong musical connection. Beautifullighting and filming complete this highly appealing production.

The bonus documentary is based on interviews with Christoph Prégardien and allows us truly understand the intellectual and musical basis of Prégardien's work, his approach to Schubert whilst offering us many gripping facts about Schubert's life and work.

"His lyric tenor voice had a youthful glow, yet he sang with plaintive beauty and piercing insight." The New York Times

"The result is an incredibly gripping night full of pieces with which both musicians have clearly worked physically as well as mentally until they were ideal in form, colour, size and texture." Stuttgarter Zeitung

Bonus feature: 'A Masterpiece Revisited', a documentary film by Reiner E. Moritz, including interviews with Ursel and Karl-Ernst Herrmann, Sylvain Cambreling, Susan Graham, Christoph Prégardien, Hannah Ester Minutillo, Ekaterina Siurina, Catherine Naglestad & Gerard Mortier.

PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9

LENGTH: 212 Mins

SOUND: DTS SURROUND / LPCM STEREO

SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT