Antonio Pappano - DVD video

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Puccini: Tosca

Puccini: Tosca


Angela Gheorghiu (Tosca), Jonas Kaufmann (Cavaradossi), Bryn Terfel (Scarpia), Lukas Jakobski (Angelotti), Jeremy White (Sacristan), Hubert Francis (Spoletta), ZhengZhong Zhou (Sciarrone)

Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Sir Antonio Pappano, Jonathan Kent (director)

It is no exaggeration to say that the two performances of Tosca at the Royal Opera House in July 2011 - with Angela Gheorghiu, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel as the leads - were opera history in the making and by far the hottest tickets in town.

For the majority of us who weren’t lucky enough to be there, it has been captured on this DVD, exclusively released by EMI.

Subtitles in Italian, English, German, Japanese, French & Spanish

“Gheorghiu makes a credible character out of Tosca...her voice keeps its beauty at all but the most high-pressure moments...Kaufmann scores a complete success as Cavaradossi...What he lacks in Italianate open tone, he makes up in brooding, dark colours...Neither of them would be likely to get the better of Bryn Terfel's bully of a Scarpia...The other dominant personality is Antonio Pappano, whose Puccini has never sounded better” Gramophone Magazine, January 2013

“Pappano's mastery of Puccinian pace and phrasing intensifies this turbulent score's onward surge, but he's also noticeable attentive to his singers...[Kaufmann's] cries of 'Vittoria!' are thrilling...and his acting never slackens...Tosca's mercurial character seems to resonate with [Gheorghiu] naturally...There are some decent Toscas on DVD already, but I'd start here.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2013 *****

GGramophone Magazine

DVD of the Month - January 2013

DVD Video

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EMI - 4040639

(DVD Video)

$19.75

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Verdi: Macbeth

Verdi: Macbeth

Recorded live at The Royal Opera House, 13 June, 2011


Simon Keenlyside (Macbeth), Liudmyla Monastyrska (Lady Macbeth), Raymond Aceto (Banquo), Dmitri Pittas (Macduff), Nigel Cliffe (Servant), Steven Ebel (Malcolm), Elisabeth Meister (Lady-in-Waiting) & Lukas Jakobski (Doctor)

Royal Opera Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor) & Phyllida Lloyd (stage director)

Black, red, cream and gold are the colours that define Phyllida Lloyd’s Royal Opera House staging of Verdi’s robust, yet penetrating setting of Shakespeare’s Scottish play.

Manipulated by a whole coven of cunning, scarlet-turbanned witches, the characters often evoke figures in a splendid Gothic fresco. With Simon Keenlyside making his British role-debut, as an athletic, brooding Macbeth and Liudmyla Monastyrska as his Lady, both imperious and subtle, this performance, masterfully conducted by Antonio Pappano, goes far beyond mere sound and fury.

This production went out LIVE to cinema screens around the world.

…an impressive company showcase, full of moments when chorus and orchestra are at full throttle. Whipped up by Antonio Pappano's baton, they sound truly thrilling.’ The Guardian

Extra features:

Cast gallery

Interviews with Simon Keenlyside, Raymond Aceto and Liudmyla Monastyrska

Rehearsing Macbeth with Antonio Pappano

Running time 170 mins

Region Code All regions

Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic

Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Menu languages EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/IT/ES

“Lloyd's Covent Garden staging of Verdi's opera has a good deal going for it; there's plenty of atmosphere in Anthony Ward's aptly dark-toned sets...Keenlyside sings the title role with imagination and insight, even if his lyric approach doesn't command the full cut and thrust of a true Verdi baritone...Pappano is an authoritative Verdian, punching the score out into the theatre.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2012 ****

“you know that Keenlyside is an accomplished lieder-singer by the dramatic precision in this phrase readings throughout (his Act 4 aria has such emotional transparency he almost breaks your heart)...Monastyrska unleashes such pent-up venom with her sharp-edged vocalism that the total package is almost too psychologically repulsive...the production is wonderfully atmospheric...Pappano is the most important artistic catalyst” Gramophone Magazine, July 2012

DVD Video

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Opus Arte Royal Opera House Collection - OA1063D

(DVD Video)

$33.00

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Verdi: La Traviata

Verdi: La Traviata

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, London, June & July 2009


Renée Fleming (Violetta), Joseph Calleja (Alfredo Germont), Thomas Hampson (Giorgio Germont), Eddie Wade (Baron Douphol) & Richard Wiegold (Doctor Grenvil)

The Royal Opera Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor) & Richard Eyre (director)

Verdi’s best-loved work, is performed here by a star cast in a revival of Richard Eyre’s highly acclaimed 1994 production. Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts La traviata for the first time at Covent Garden. American soprano Renée Fleming returns to Covent Garden to sing Violetta for the first time with The Royal Opera. La traviata was first performed at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice in March 1853.

"...Antonio Pappano takes charge of this revival, searching out the meaning of Verdi's score in a supple, sentient reading that sweeps you along." The Guardian

Extra features:

Cast gallery

Antonio Pappano interviews Renée Fleming

Running time 135 mins

Region Code All regions

Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic

Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Menu languages EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT

“I was sniffy about her first night but this DVD comes from later in the run, by which time she had found an uncharacteristic emotional freedom. She is still the prima donna playing the part, but the beautiful sounds she makes, especially in the Act One finale and the Act Two party, are well worth hearing, and the high-quality film-work puts us right at the heart of the action.” Financial Times, 21st May 2011 ****

“this is a sensible, believable, attractive presentation that is more in line with Verdi than with the idiocies of Regietheater...Vocally, [Fleming] is on good form at almost every turn... Calleja must sound authentic enough as an Italianate tenor for anyone...I always have the impression that [Pappano] works with the singers rather than challenging them to a duel. The chorus and orchestra respond fittingly to his direction.” International Record Review, July 2011

“At the age of 50, [Fleming] still looks very good in the role of the doomed courtesan...[she] sounds good, too, singing with consistent skill...There's a sincerity to Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja's portrayal of Alfredo which gives it more spontaneity than his American colleagues supply...Stronger than the vocals is the conducting of Antonio Pappano, which possesses a natural stylishness and fluency” BBC Music Magazine, July 2011 ***

DVD Video

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Opus Arte Royal Opera House Collection - OA1040D

(DVD Video)

$26.25

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Verdi: Simon Boccanegra

Verdi: Simon Boccanegra

Recorded: 2010 live from the Royal Opera House


Plácido Domingo (Simon Boccanegra), Marina Poplavskaya (Amelia Grimaldi/Maria Boccanegra), Joseph Calleja (Gabriele Adorno), Ferruccio Furlanetto (Jacope Fiesco), Jonathan Summers (Paolo Albiani), Lukas Jakobski (Piero)

Royal Opera Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano

“Crowning glory for triumphant Domingo” The Independent – 5 Stars

“In the lowest range of his voice he has always had mahogany where other tenors have chipboard” The Guardian

Plácido Domingo’s triumphant “return” to his baritone roots (his first debut with the Mexican National Opera, in 1959, was as a baritone), is captured in this stunning 2-DVD set of the Royal Opera House’s 2010 production of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. Domingo is joined by Marina Poplavskaya, Joseph Calleja, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Jonathan Summers and Lukas Jakobski in this Antonio Pappano conducted performance, directed by Elijah Moshinsky.

The Simon Boccanegra release features exclusive bonus material, including a “Back Stage with Plácido Domingo” featurette and an interview with director Moshinsky. There is an additional audio function which features introductions to each of the opera’s scenes (in English with subtitles).

Simon Boccanegra is Verdi’s magnificent telling of a humble 14th century Genoan who rises to become Doge of the great city. The plot centres on the political intrigues between Boccanegra (Domingo) and his adversary, the aristocratic Jacopo Fiesco and the discovery of his long-lost daughter, Amelia. This story – though replete with an inevitable tragic conclusion – is ultimately one of hope, as the two great men are able to rise above their power-driven animosities to ensure peace amongst their beloved Genoa’s warring factions and by placing familial and civic love ahead of their own individual desires.

This stunning production garnered critical acclaim for Domingo and cast, especially Ferruccio Furlanetto.

Features exclusive bonuses: “Back Stage with Plácido Domingo” featurette, A video interview with director Elijah Moshinsky and audio introductions to each of the scenes (the DVD will include and option play with or without the introductions).

In a market full of Domingo birthday and anniversary reissue products, this 2-DVD release is a much anticipated new recording and performance.

Subtitles in Italian (Sung) English, German, French, Spanish

“His fitness for the role is undeniable. That noble face, that charismatic presence and powerful body: how well they suit the Doge’s office...And camera close-ups reveal Domingo the consummate and generous actor...there’s plenty of heat in the gutsy orchestra and Antonio Pappano’s loving conducting. And above all else there’s Domingo: courageous, still eloquent, an artist in a million.” The Times, 3rd December 2010 ****

“Domingo fans who enjoyed, or missed, the great tenor-turned-baritone singing the title role of Verdi's tragic hero will covet this live DVD recording of the Royal Opera's lavish Elijah Moshinsky staging. Includes a backstage documentary element fronted by that telly natural, Antonio Pappano.” The Observer, 19th December 2010

“No vocal Tarnhelm has suddenly magicked a different-sounding timbre for this voice: here is, simply, Domingo singing - and evidently enjoying singing - a part that's lower down...the bigger difference between the voices [in the confrontations with Fiesco] permits a greater antagonism of the characters and clarity of text...What we might here cheekily call the supporting cast are strong” Gramophone Magazine, February 2011

“his musicianship, his intelligence and artistry, his commitment, the still-beauty of his voice and the utter lack of strain required for him to sing this role properly are well in evidence...[Calleja] has a true Italianate ring, it is easy at the top, he acts well and his phrasing is both musical and impassioned...Pappano undestands the dark tint of this opera and plays it for all it is worth” International Record Review, January 2011

“his command of [the title-role] is vocally authoritative and dramatically compelling...Pappano's silky and taut conducting is superb, and tenor Joseph Calleja has never sounded better as Adorno.” Classic FM Magazine, March 2011 ***

“The result is far more than a vanity project...overall [Domingo] makes a remarkably moving and complex creation out of it...Summers is worn but malevolent in his sharply etched portrayal of the venomous Paolo. But the vocal honours go to Joseph Calleja, possessor of one of the loveliest tenor voices around, whose singing as Gabriele Adorno is consistently imaginative and discriminating.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2011 ****

GGramophone Magazine

DVD of the Month - February 2011

DVD Video

Region: 0

Format: NTSC

EMI - 9178259

(DVD Video - 2 discs)

$30.50

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Ioan Holender Farewell Concert

Ioan Holender Farewell Concert

Gala from Vienna State Opera


Bellini:

Ah, non credea mirarti (from La Sonnambula)

Diana Damrau (soprano)

Donizetti:

Ah! tardai troppo...O luce di quest'anima (from Linda di Chamounix)

Stefania Bonfadelli (soprano)

Pour ce contrat fatal...Salut à la France (from La fille du régiment)

Natalie Dessay (soprano)

Giordano, U:

Amor ti vieta (from Fedora)

Ramon Vargas (tenor)

Gounod:

L'amour, l'amour... Ah, lève-toi soleil (from Roméo et Juliette)

Ramon Vargas (tenor)

Quel trouble inconnu me pénètre… Salut! Demeure chaste et pure (from Faust)

Piotr Beczala (tenor)

Hiller, W:

Holenderchen! Ich war dein Traumfresserchen (from Das Traumfresserchen)

Herwig Pecoraro (tenor)

Korngold:

Glück, das mir verbleib 'Marietta's Lied' (from Die Tote Stadt)

Angela Denoke (soprano), Stephen Gould (tenor)

Lehár:

So kommen Sie! ? Ich bin eine anstnd'ge Frau (from Die lustige Witwe)

Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo), Michael Schade (tenor)

Massenet:

Vision fugitive (from Hérodiade)

Boaz Daniel (baritone)

Werther! Werther!…Je vous écris de ma petite chambre (from Werther)

Roxana Constantinescu (mezzo)

Toute mon âme - Pourquoi me réveiller (from Werther)

Piotr Beczala (tenor)

Suis-je gentille ainsi? ... Je marche sur tous les chemins ... Obéissons quand leur voix appelle (from Manon)

Anna Netrebko (soprano)

Mozart:

Un'aura amorosa del nostro tesoro (from Così fan tutte)

Michael Schade (tenor)

Prenderò quel brunettino (from Così fan tutte)

Barbara Frittoli (soprano), Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo)

E Susanna non vien! … Dove sono i bei momenti (from Le nozze di Figaro)

Barbara Frittoli (soprano)

Offenbach:

Hélas! mon cœur s'égare encore! (from Les Contes d'Hoffmann)

Puccini:

Firenze è come un albero fiorito (from Gianni Schicchi)

Saimir Pirgu (tenor)

Se come voi piccina io fossi (from Le Villi)

Krassimira Stoyanova (soprano)

Strauss, R:

Wie schön ist doch die Musik (from Die schweigsame Frau)

Thomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone)

Nun will ich jubeln wie keiner gejubelt (from Die Frau ohne Schatten)

Adrianne Pieczonka, Deborah Polaski (sopranos), Johan Botha (tenor), Falk Struckmann (baritone)

Er ist der Richtige nicht für mich … Aber der Richtige, wenn's einen gibt für mich (from Arabella)

Adrianne Pieczonka, Genia Khmeier (sopranos)

Verdi:

Stride la vampa (from Il Trovatore)

Nadia Krasteva (mezzo)

In braccio alle dovizie (from I Vespri Siciliani)

Leo Nucci (baritone)

Va, pensiero (from Nabucco)

Elle ne m'aime pas! (from Don Carlos)

Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass)

Pace, pace mio Dio! (from La forza del destino)

Violeta Urmana (soprano)

Perfidi!…Pietà, rispetto, amore (from Macbeth)

Simon Keenlyside (baritone)

Tutto nel mondo è burla (from Falstaff)

Elisabeth Kulman, Krassimira Stoyanova, Ileana Tonca (sopranos), Nadia Krasteva (mezzo), Gergely Nmeti, Herwig Pecoraro, Michael Roider (tenors), Leo Nucci, Alfred Ramek, Boaz Daniel (baritones)

Wagner:

Rienzi Overture

Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond (from Die Walküre)

Placido Domingo (tenor)

Mild und leise 'Isolde's Liebestod' (from Tristan und Isolde)

Waltraud Meier (soprano)

O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe (from Tristan und Isolde)

Maria Schnitzer (soprano), Peter Seiffert (tenor)

In fernem Land (from Lohengrin)

Johan Botha (tenor)

Über Stock und Stein (from Das Rheingold)

Elisabeth Kulman (soprano), Gergely Nmeti, Adrian Erd (tenors), Boaz Daniel (baritone)

Weber:

Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle (from Der Freischütz)

Soile Isokoski (soprano)


A star-studded benefit concert to celebrate Ioan Holender’s farewell after 19 years as the director of one of the world’s leading and most famous opera houses. The highly acclaimed cast was headed by brilliant singers such as Diana Damrau, Natalie Dessay, Angelika Kirchschlager, Waltraud Meier, Anna Netrebko, Pjotr Beczala, Plácido Domingo, Thomas Hampson, Leo Nucci, Thomas Quasthoff, Ramon Vargas and many others. No fewer than twelve conductors including Marco Armiliato, Bertrand de Billy, Fabio Luisi, Zubin Mehta, Antonio Pappano and Franz Welser-Möst led the way through a program lasting over four hours at the fully-packed Wiener Staastoper.

Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese

DVD Video

Region: 0

Format: NTSC

DG - 0734621

(DVD Video - 2 discs)

$26.75

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Gounod: Faust

Gounod: Faust

Live from the Royal Opera House


Angela Gheorghiu (Marguerite), Roberto Alagna (Faust), Bryn Terfel (Méphistophélès), Simon Keenlyside (Valentin) & Sophie Koch (Siébel)

Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor) & David McVicar (director)

David McVicar's spectacular 2004 production of Gounod’s Faust, featuring a divine cast of opera’s superstars: Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside and Sophie Koch.

McVicar is one of the most innovative and in-demand directors, and his lush, haunting realised vision of Faust received glorious praise. The production revels in a gothic, seamy Second French Empire setting, with the Act V ballet “haunting the imagination long after” (The Independent).

“This is opera at its grandest and best” The Wall Street Journal

“Alagna depicts Faust's transition from Gounod-like ancient to cartwheeling young boulevardier and drug-addled Baudelairean decadent with energy and elegant phrasing...[Terfel] suggests the constant predatory menace beneath the musketeer panache with a curious dignity...[Pappano's] theatrical vigour banishes any trace of Gallic langour, a thoroughly un-fustian Faust.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2011 *****

“surely one of the finest achievements of DVD so far...Alagna dominates vocally in the name-role with a powerful heady lyricism...Gheorghiu sings gloriously as a delightful Marguerite, but the action is underlined by the splendidly bold panache of Bryn Terfel's Mephistopheles” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

DVD Video

Region: 0

Format: NTSC

EMI - 6316119

(DVD Video - 2 discs)

$24.75

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Verdi: Don Carlo

Verdi: Don Carlo

Live from the Royal Opera House


Rolando Villazon (Don Carlo), Marina Poplavskaya (Elisabetta di Valois), Simon Keenlyside (Rodrigo), Ferruccio Furlanetto (Philip II), Sonia Ganassi (Princess Eboli), Pumeza Matshikiza (Tebaldo), Nikola Matisic (Conte di Lerma), Eric Halfvarson (Grand Inquisito), Robert Lloyd (Monk) & Anita Watson (Voice from Heaven)

Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano

National Theatre director Nicholas Hytner’s new staging of Verdi’s grandest – and arguably greatest – opera, Don Carlo, was the highlight of the 2007/2008 Royal Opera House season. This new production marked Rolando Villazón’s much anticipated, triumphant return to the house.

Don Carlo is Verdi’s musical retelling of Schiller’s poem Don Carlos. Set amidst the political, religious and sexual intrigue of the 16th century Spanish court, this epic work is the tragic story of the virtuous young prince, Don Carlo when he is pitted against the powers of a dominant, corrupt society.

The Italian version premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 10th January, 1884, following the French premiere (Don Carlos) in 1867, at the Paris Opera. It was first staged at The Royal Opera House in 1886. This new production is the first new version of the 5-Act complete opera to be staged at Covent Garden in 50 years. With sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, direction by Nicholas Hytner and an enviable cast, this production of Don Carlo is worthy of the greatness of Verdi’s original, masterful work.

“Supported by designer Bob Crowley's dazzling coups de thêatre, and by Antonio Pappano's band in scintillating form, he directs with such vivid forcefulness – and such psychological acuity – that Verdi's great rumination on theocracy, and on the battle between patriarchy and the brotherhood of man, emerges in its full beauty and menace…Ferruccio Furlanetto's King Philip, a commanding presence conveying as much by his stillness as by his gloriously resonant voice…This full five-act version is a long evening, but time flies thanks to transcendent performances by Poplavskaya and Villazón, and to the beauty emanating from the pit”. The Independent

Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian

“as fine an example of singing by a tenor in Verdi as we have heard in many a year: elegant in detail, movingly expressive and endowed with that special beauty of tone which was Villazon's distinctive gift...he sustained the demanding role without any sign of tiring, forcing or losing quality towards the end” Gramophone Magazine, December 2010

“the love-torn relationship of the titular prince and the fiancée stolen from him by his father the king is sensitively staged and played: Rolando Villazon (in less uncertain voice than reportedly on opening night) and Marina Poplavskaya, a regal beauty much-loved by the camera, make it all movingly fresh...Pappano's urgently impassioned conducting...lends everyone unfailing support.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2011 ***

“Villazon's Carlo remains fully committed dramatically...Poplavskaya skilfully develops Elisabetta from coltish girl to anguished queen...[Keenlyside] blazes with conviction...[Furlanetto] shapes his Philip in tone consistently rounded, colourful and expertly controlled...This orchestra knows the piece intimately, and it shows. Pappano is a master of dramatic atmosphere throughout.” International Record Review, December 2010

GGramophone Awards 2011

Best of Category - DVD Performance

DVD Video

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Format: NTSC

EMI - 6316099

(DVD Video - 2 discs)

$24.75

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Bizet: Carmen

Bizet: Carmen


Anna Caterina Antonacci (Carmen), Jonas Kaufmann (Don Jose), Norah Amsellem (Micaela), Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (Escamillo), Jacques Imbrailo (Morales), Matthew Rose (Zuniga), Elena Xanthoudakis (Frasquita), Viktoria Vizin (Mercedes), Caroline Lena Olsson (Lillas Pastia), Jean Sebastien Bou (Le Dancaire), Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (Le Remendado)

The Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor) & Francesca Zambello (stage director)

The New Production from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Filmed in HD

“Two dazzling stars” (Daily Telegraph)

"Physical and sexy" (Evening Standard)

Kaufmann and Antonacci are that rare breed: superb singers who can also act with subtlety and passion (The Guardian)

With Anna Caterina Antonacci and Jonas Kaufmann bringing rare erotic intensity to the drama of Carmen and Don Jose, this new Royal Opera production is a darkly passionate reading of one of the world's favourite operas. Under the baton of Music Director Antonio Pappano, Bizet's irresistible score drives the tragedy forward - powering a landmark staging of a musical masterpiece. Jonas Kaufmann smoulders as Don Jose in this acclaimed production recorded at the Royal Opera House, London in 2007.

“Pappano in the pit takes the whole thing at a tremendous lick while coaxing some lovely playing from the Royal Opera House Orchestra. For all that, this is opera as spectacle with good tunes attached.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2008 ***

“…traditionalists can relax with the Royal Opera's Raymond Gubbay-style, grand-opera Carmen. Antonio Pappano…steers the music with panachet… The production has a star in Jonas Kaufmann's José, a dangerous, lived-in interpretation of the part, sung and acted with a rare ability... Antonacci's Carmen works hard - she's stylish and genuinely sexy... Norah Amsellem's Micaëla is well vocalised and presented but never quite breaks through into a complete character.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2008

DVD Video

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Format: NTSC

Decca - 0743312

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$20.00

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Puccini: Tosca

Puccini: Tosca


Angela Gheorghiu (Tosca), Roberto Alagna (Cavaradossi), Ruggero Raimondi (Scarpia), Enrico Fissore (Sagristano), Maurizio Muraro (Angelotti), David Cangelosi (Spoletta), Sorin Colibran (Sciarrone), James Savage-Hanford (Un pastore), Gwynne Howell (Un carceriere)

Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano

Tosca: it is opera, it is Italy. It is desire, passion and murder….

Featuring opera superstars Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna and Ruggero Raimondi, with musical direction by the world-renowned Antonio Pappano.

Prestige of official selection at Venice Film Festival, a comprehensive and successful commercial run in cinemas and outstanding critical acclaim.

10th anniversary special edition, with exclusive DVD bonus features including a new 10th anniversary interview with soprano Angela Gheorghiu, a collector’s booklet and a “Costume Design” featurette plus original 2001 interviews with Angela Gheorghiu on her role as Tosca, director Benoît Jacquot on creating Tosca as film and Antonio Pappano on Puccini’s music for the opera.

“brings this opera vividly to life… this is a classic of the future” The Guardian

“gripping and very well sung” Opera Now

“superb” Gramophone Magazine

"Gheorghiu gives a performance that cuts to the core of Puccini's tragedy... Pappano's conducting; a rich reading that conjures the ideal mixture of syrup and bitterness" Independent on Sunday

Audio: Dolby Stereo & Optional 5.1

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Feature Running Time: 120 mins

Italian with optional English subtitles

Bonus Features Running Time: 41 mins

Region: 0, PAL

Territory: Worldwide (excluding Japan, North America, France and Germany)

DVD Video

Region: 0

Format: PAL

Axiom Films - AXM637

(DVD Video)

$33.00

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Turnage: Anna Nicole

Turnage: Anna Nicole

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, 23 & 26 February 2011


Eva-Maria Westbroek (Anna Nicole), Alan Oke (Old Man Marshall), Gerald Finley (The Lawyer Stern), Susan Bickley (Virgie), Jeremy White (Daddy Hogan), Loré Lixenberg (Cousin Shelley), Peter Hoare (Larry King), Rebecca de Pont Davies (Aunt Kay), Dominic Rowntree (Older Daniel), Allison Cook (Blossom), Andrew Rees (Doctor), Grant Doyle (Billy) & Wynne Evans (Mayor); John Parricelli (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass guitarist), Peter Erskine (drummer)

Royal Opera Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor) & Richard Jones (director)

In a tragic-comic take on the extremes of celebrity culture, composer Mark Anthony Turnage, librettist Richard Thomas and director Richard Jones add Anna Nicole Smith to opera’s gallery of bad, sad girls. A pneumatic Playboy model who married an octogenarian billionaire, she achieved grotesque fame before her destitute, drugriddled death. With its jazz-coloured score and Eva-Maria Westbroek’s starry performance, this is, as the New York Times said: “an engrossing outrageous, entertaining and, ultimately deeply moving opera”.

"...It's a tremendous show...shocking it isn't; stunning it is!" The Independent

Contains very strong language and scenes of a sexual nature

Extra features:

Cast gallery

Illustrated synopsis

Behind the scenes feature including artist interviews

Running time 120 mins approx

Region Code All regions

Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic

Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Menu languages EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES

“The six camera operators get in close enough for us all to appreciate the visual brilliance of Richard Jones’s direction and Miriam Buether’s colourfully absurd sets. Better yet, the cameras offer extra chances for the Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek to warm and tenderise Anna Nicole’s rollercoaster life...The camera’s scrutiny also helps appreciation of Gerald Finley. Always an eloquent stage performer, he’s unsettlingly plausible as Stern” The Times, 12th August 2011 ***

“a slick satire on the superficiality of American popular culture...Eva-Maria Westbroek gives a gutsy central performance” Financial Times, 13th August 2011 **

“this is an opera that demands to be seen in its full wide-screen glory...On DVD, the opera is worryingly compelling. The more Turnage and his librettist, Richard Thomas, pile one cringe-making scene upon another, the harder it is to look away...the whole cast is excellent...all bolstered by a vivid musical performance under Pappano...As it stands, the opera is a salacious expose and not much more - a compelling one none the less.” Gramophone Magazine, November 2011

“such pulsing energy and raucous humour in a brassy, vivid score that is perfectly matched to its trailer-trash subject...Nobody...could fail to admire Richard Jones’s flamboyantly inventive staging or Eva-Maria Westbroek’s brave and sassy performance in the title role of the rags-to-riches girl who married a billionaire and met a tragic end.” The Telegraph, 2nd December 2011

“a weirdly inspired work: engrossing, entertaining and ultimately quite moving...Here is an unlikely holiday gift that should delight and fascinate anyone interested in contemporary opera and American popular culture.” New York Times, 23rd November 2012

DVD Video

Region: 0

Format: NTSC

Opus Arte Royal Opera House Collection - OA1054D

(DVD Video)

$33.00

Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days.

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