Bernard Haitink - DVD & Blu-ray videos

This production of Parsifal was recorded live at the Zurich Opera House in March 2007. It was hailed by the press as one of the finest Wagner performances in recent years, thanks in part to Bernard Haitink’s gripping presence in the pit.

The production by Hans Hollmann is austere in conception; Hans Hoffer’s understated designs using geometric shapes and blocks of colour to emphasise the juxtapositions at the heart of Wagner’s mystical opera – light versus darkness, good versus evil. The effect is beautiful and simple, focussing attention on the music.

The excellent international cast of leading Wagnerian singers is headed by Christopher Ventris in the title role and also features Yvonne Naef as a sensuous Kundry and Matti Salminen who was highly acclaimed by the press for his powerful, touching portrayal of the ageing Gurnemanz.

Additional features: Produced in HD, to be released in NTSC 16:9; audio will be in 5.1 DTS Surround Sound and PCM stereo.

NVC ARTS returned to Glyndebourne in 1994 for the opening of the beautiful, new opera house and a recording of an opera closely associated with Glyndebourne; Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Stephen Medcalf's production is complemented by John Gunter's sparsely furnished sets, offset by the rich greens, reds and blues in the scenery and costumes. A perfect Glyndebourne cast includes Gerald Finley and Alison Hagley who give touching performances of Figaro and Susanna. Andreas Schmidt is a strong and handsome Count Almaviva, Renée Fleming is a ravishing Countess and Marie-Ange Todorovitch is an irresistably love-sick Cherubino. Bernard Haitink draws polished playing from the London Philharmonic.

Bernard Haitink is one the most celebrated conductors of our time. For more than 25 years he was at the helm of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as its music director. In addition, he has been music director of the Dresden Staatskapelle, the Royal Opera Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and the London Philharmonic. With an international conducting career spanning more than five decades he has conducted most of the leading orchestras of the world.

Here, Bernard Haitink works with six student conductors and the orchestra of the Royal College of Music in London on all four movements of Brahms' Symphony No 3, one of the composer's most daring and elusive works. Haitink imparts not only his profound insight into the symphony, but also shares with the students a lifetime's experience of conducting. This three-hour masterclass will inspire and inform not only aspiring conductors but music lovers and musicians in general.

Stage Designer DAVID HOCKNEY

Glyndebourne’s 1978 production of Mozart’s Zauberflöte received as much critical acclaim for the imaginative David Hockney sets as for the operatic performance. Hockney, known internationally for his pop art, emphasised the magical and mystical qualities of one of Mozart’s best known operas – and the spirit was wonderfully refl ected in John Cox’s production.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Bernard Haitink.

Mozart’s tale of Papageno and Pince Tamino’s quest to rescue Pamina and overthrow the Queen of the Night is one of his best loved operas and here receives an impressive treatment with Leo Goeke, Felicity Lott and Benjamin Luxon in the leading roles. Essential for such an opera, there is a great happy end: Tamino and Pamina overcome their trials and become a loving couple, the malicious Queen of the Night is humbled and even Papageno finds his Papagena.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: DE (Original Language), FR, GB, ES

Running Time: 163 mins

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Since its debut in 1934 the Glyndebourne Festival has put a focus on Mozart operas and developed a great competence in staging them. Mozart’s operas seem to be made for the small but fine opera house in Glyndebourne and it’s not surprising that the 1977 Don Giovanni, one of Mozart’s great masterpieces, was a huge success.

This production is conducted by Bernard Haitink who holds the opinion, that no other composer had more opera in his blood than Mozart. It has been proven, for example, that Mozart had no overture for Don Giovanni until the evening before the premiere in Prague and wrote it down in just one night.

Like the premiere’s success of the opera in Prague in 1787 the Glyndebourne’s version staged by Peter Hall was praised by audience and critics alike: “We witness a lively and wide-awake ensemble piece that has easily survived all these decades, and still manages to teach many directors the art of playing theatre.” (WDR) With outstanding performances by Horiana Branisteanu, Benjamin Luxon, Stafford Dean and Leo Goeke this production is a real highlight.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9 / NTSC

Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES

Running Time: 174 mins

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With Krakow‘s glorious St. Mary‘s Church as the setting, the world-acclaimed Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra performs a concert to both commemorate the orchestra‘s 1882 founding and reaffirm the cultural life of a reborn European community.

Featuring Bernard Haitink as guest conductor, the concert‘s repertoire features soprano Christine Schäfer performing two pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the brilliant „Allelujah“ from the motet Exsultate, jubilate followed by the richly introspective „Et incarnatus est“ from the C minor Mass.

Also featured is renowned pianist Emanuel Ax, who performs the Second Concerto by Poland‘s most beloved native composer, Frédéric Chopin. The concert concludes with the Berlin Philharmonic‘s performance of Robert Schumann‘s radiant Spring Symphony.

Sound Format: PCM STEREO, DD 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: DVD 9, PAL

Running Time: 95 mins

FSK: 0