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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on 8th April 2009.
Danielle de Niese (Galatea), Charles Workman (Acis), Matthew Rose (Polyphemus), Paul Agnew (Damon), Ji-Min Park (Corydon); Lauren Cuthbertson (Galatea - dancer), Edward Watson (Acis - dancer), Steven McRae (Damon - dancer), Eric Underwood (Polyphemus - dancer), Paul Kay (Coridon - dancer) Dancers of The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera Extra Chorus & Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Christopher Hogwood (conductor) & Wayne McGregor (director) Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a distinguished cast including Danielle de Niese and Charles Workman in Wayne McGregor's new production of Handel's opera in which The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet appear in a rare and beautifully crafted collaboration. Filmed with High Definition cameras and recorded in true surround sound. “Charles Workman and Danielle de Niese had bags of vocal and personal charm in the title roles, with strong contributions from Matthew Rose as Polyphemus and Paul Agnew and Ji-Min Park as attendant shepherds; among the dancers, special praise to Lauren Cuthbertson as Galatea's frolicking nymph. …An evening of exquisite sensual pleasure.” The Telegraph Extra features: Illustrated synopsis Cast gallery Documentary: Staging Acis and Galatea Running time 110 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 FR/DE/ES (extra features only) “Vocally, the star of the show is Matthew Rose, whose pitch-perfect Polyphemus conveys the bruised vulnerability of the inarticulate and ugly...The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment play suavely, with exquisite work from the uncredited sopranino recorders.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2010 *** “The most compelling moments...tend to be when the OAE, Christopher Hogwood, Handel and the singer are permitted to possess centre stage (both metaphorical and literal)...As usual, Danielle de Niese looks and glides around the stage like a million dollars” Gramophone Magazine, January 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | A ballet by Kenneth MacMillan
Choreographer: Kenneth MacMillan Edward Watson takes the role of Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's compelling ballet which lives out the final eight years of Rudolf’s life with its relentless downward spiral of political intrigue, drugs and murder. It culminates with the suicide pact at the hunting lodge - known as Mayerling - between Rudolf and his 17-year-old mistress, Mary Vetsera (Mara Galeazzi). Filmed in high definition and recorded in true surround sound. “…while Mara Galeazzi as Mary Vetsera nearly stole the show with her natural conviction, exuberance and authoritative technique, the evening belonged to Watson as Rudolf, one of the most challenging male roles ever created.” Sunday Express Extra features: Illustrated synopsis Cast gallery Principles in rehearsal with Edward Watson & Mara Galeazzi Short feature on costumes Running time 157 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 & 5.1 DTS Master Audio Menu language EN Subtitles FR/DE/ES (extra features only) Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, October 2009. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded live at Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes, East Sussex, June 2009.
Christopher Purves (Falstaff), Tassis Christoyannis (Ford), Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Mistress Quickly), Dina Kuznetsova (Alice Ford), Jennifer Holloway (Meg Page), Adriana Kucerova (Nanetta), Bulent Bezduz (Fenton), Peter Hall (Dr Caius), Alasdair Elliott (Bardolpho), Paolo Battaglia (Pistol) London Philharmonic Orchestra & The Glyndebourne Choru, Vladimir Jurowski (conductor) & Richard Jones (director) The inspirational Vladimir Jurowski conducts Verdi’s last opera, his only true comic opera. An international cast is led by Christopher Purves in the larger-than-life role of the corpulent Falstaff, whose profligacy both outrages and inspires the citizens of Windsor. Richard Jones’s production brings out the humour, bitterness and anger – mixed with tenderness and wisdom – embodied in the Shakespeare plays on which the libretto is based. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound. ‘In the pit, Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic hone their reflexes so that the instrumental guffaw, exclamation, explosive flourish leaps out at you. It’s exciting and detailed and rhythmically so alive.’ The Independent Extra features: Illustrated synopsis Cast gallery Running time 136 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 & 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Menu language EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT “all aspects of staging [...] work to happy effect. The updating [...] is unexpectedly refreshing...The cast is uniformly excellent, with Christopher Purves's Falstaff much funnier than most...Jurowski conducts so as to bring out all the score's energy and wit without forcing the pace or underlining the jokes.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2010 “[Purves's Falstaff is] a masterpiece of comic timing. But this performance is also beautifully sung, capturing the Italianate ardour within the bosom of Windsor's beached whale...Francois Roussillon's direction, giving a due flavour of the theatrical ambience, results in a model of filmed opera.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2010 ***** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2
Joaquín Achúcarro (piano) This recording commemorates the 50th anniversary of Joaquín Achúcarro’s debut with the London Symphony Orchestra after winning the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic International Competition in 1959. Recorded at Jerwood Hall, St Luke’s, London, with Britain’s eminent conductor Colin Davis at the helm, Achúcarro delivers a consummate performance that brilliantly expresses his delicate and passionate style. Extra features include a substantial documentary about Achúcarro’s career and performances of solo piano pieces by Brahms, Chopin, Scriabin and Albéniz filmed in the beautiful setting of the Prado museum, Madrid. “Achúcarro’s approach is unorthodox in today’s stick-to-theletter-of-the-score, mechanically perfect musical world. His rubati seem excessive to some; to others, like a throwback to a Golden Age. For all of his reverence for the great composers whose music he plays, he maintains a healthy sense of their humanity as well. “Our duty is first of all to understand what composer does and wants, and then to try to deliver it the best we can, but also to serve the music,” he says. “And maybe sometimes the composer is wrong.” He adds, “People say you must follow the text. But if you follow the text, perhaps the music is not totally served.” … And he views what he does as a performer as an act of creation in its own right.” The Washington Post Extra features: Joaquín Achúcarro: 50 years on Documentary including interviews with Plácido Domingo, Simon Rattle and Zubin Mehta. Running time 131 mins Region code All regions Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Disc size: BD50 Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 2.0 & 5.1 PCM Menu language EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT “all three sections of both versions benefit from the masterly hand of director Robin Lough who, unlike many of his peers, knows how to let the music speak for itself without the need for frantic cuts and cross-fades...The short recital filmed in the Prado captures Achúcarro at his intimate best” Gramophone Magazine, June 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco on 8 December 2001Sung in English
Lotfi Mansouri’s spectacular last production as General Director of San Francisco Opera with Yvonne Kenny making her debut in the title role, new dialogue specially commissioned from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Wendy Wasserstein, and an original ballet to set the scene ‘Chez Maxim’s’, bringing fresh insight into Lehár’s classic operetta. ‘…this is about as lavish a production of Franz Lehár’s adorable operetta as you are ever likely to see…soprano Yvonne Kenny is perfectly cast in the title role.’ Classic FM Magazine Extra features Illustrated synopsis & cast gallery. Impressions: Lotfi Mansouri, Yvonne Kenny, Bo Skovhus, Angelika Kirchschlager and Gregory Turay discuss The Merry Widow. Running time 189 mins Region code All regions Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Disc size: BD50 Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 2.0 & 4.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Menu language EN Subtitles FR/DE/ES “Gregory Turay is a fluent, quite serious Camille, Bo Skovhus a superb Danilo and Angelika Kirchschlager an absolute dream of a Valencienne.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on the 25th & 30th April and 3rd May 2008.
John Tomlinson (The Minotaur), Johan Reuter (Theseus), Christine Rice (Ariadne), Andrew Watts (Snake Priestess), Philip Langridge (Hiereus), Amanda Echalaz (Ker), Rebecca Bottone, Pumeza Matshikiza, Wendy Dawn Thompson, Christopher Ainslie, Tim Mead (Innocents) The Royal Opera Chorus & The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano (conductor) & Stephen Langridge (stage director) This world premiere of a gripping new work by composer Harrison Birtwistle and librettist David Harsent, commissioned by The Royal Opera, brings the monstrous, Greek mythological character to the stage. John Tomlinson stars as the Minotaur, part man, part beast, trapped in his labyrinth and constrained by his bloodthirsty role there, longs to discover his true identity and his own voice. Athens must pay a blood sacrifice to Crete and among the innocents is Theseus, who has come to challenge the violent Minotaur, but who also attracts the attention of Ariadne, half-sister and keeper of the monster; it is with her help he succeeds. Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House. ‘Thanks to a superb cast and impeccable playing under Antonio Pappano, the evening is a glittering success. …what Birtwistle has done is give us one opera inside another. The outer one is strident and earthbound; the inner one – ending with the Minotaur's Caliban-like dying aria – burns with visionary fire.’ The Independent Extra features: Documentary: ‘Myth is universal'. Illustrated synopsis & cast gallery. Running time 175 mins Region code All regions Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Disc size: BD50 Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 2.0 & 5.0 PCM (TBC) Menu language EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT “This opera, premiered at the Royal Opera last April, seems to me to be a masterpiece, of the kind that one feels the greatness of before one has a complete understanding of it. …the Minotaur is a terrifying and pained figure. This performance is the climax of John Tomlinson's career, in a part written with his huge, gravelly voice in mind. The other compelling figure is Ariadne... Christine Rice, bearing the weight of exposition and of suffering, uses her wonderfully rich mezzo to stunning effect.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2008 ***** “The filming reinforces the strengths of Stephen Langridge's tightly controlled, potently expressive production in an economical yet atmospheric setting, with the whole ensemble totally engaged in the drama's dark enterprise. Repeated hearings underline that, in the end, this tragedy is the more convincing for the way its turn towards pathos does not involve any false consolation.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2009 “Birtwistle's latest large-scale music drama, written for Covent Garden, is a quite different experience on DVD: what might have been planned by composer and stage director to be witnessed from a distance is shown in unsparing close-up.
But this seething, monumental reinvention of one of the most disquieting Greek myths – with a pithy libretto by David Harsent – is neither betrayed nor diminished by this excellent film.
Only in its final stages does the opera's focus shift decisively to the doomed Minotaur from the scheming Ariadne, and the drama's most essential point is that this Ariadne – as different from Strauss's as Birtwistle's Orpheus is different from Gluck's – is in her own way as much of a monster as the half-man/half-bull. These demanding roles are projected with maximum musical eloquence by Christine Rice and Sir John Tomlinson, no doubt because – as Rice makes clear in the absorbing 30-minute documentary that accompanies the performance – what is demanding is also intensely rewarding to singers prepared to commit themselves to a steep learning curve. Equal commitment is evident in Johan Reuter's Theseus, the conventions of heroic posturing given new depth and relevance in text, music and vocal acting alike.
We see little of Antonio Pappano and his orchestra, but the excellent sound never lets us escape the inexorable magnetism of the instrumental continuum.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Bayreuth Festival, Germany, in August 2009.
Recorded live at the Bayreuth Festival in July & August 2009, this production marks the beginning of an exciting new long-term partnership between the Bayreuth Festival and Opus Arte. The prestigious music festival takes place each year in northern Germany in a theatre that Wagner himself personally supervised the design and construction of. The festival has become a pilgrimage destination for Wagner enthusiasts, who often have to wait up to ten years to obtain a ticket! Katarina Wagner, the great-grand daughter of Richard Wagner, is currently codirector of the festival together with her sister Eva Wagner-Pasquier. Tristan und Isolde was first performed in 1865 and provided inspiration to many composers including Mahler, Strauss, Szymanowski and Berg. It is widely acknowledged as one of the peaks of the operatic repertoire, and has been performed regularly since is premiere. This production, by renowned director Christoph Marthaler, stars leading Wagner exponents Robert Dean Smith and Irene Theorin in the title roles, supported by the Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Peter Schneider. ‘Peter Schneider conducted with real feeling for the score and the prelude to the first act stole upon the ear with the magic of Bayreuth’s amazing acoustics. Robert Dean Smith is now a fine Tristan with a really beautiful voice. …Robert Holl made a moving King Marke, his magnificent bass nobly used. Some of the most beautiful singing came from Clemens Bieber's Young Seaman at the beginning.’ The Stage ‘In Tristan the standard of conducting and singing is high. Peter Schneider draws seamless playing from the orchestra, contouring Wagner’s long arcs of sound as only someone of his experience can do. Iréne Theorin and Robert Dean Smith make a well-balanced couple – she all temperament and sound, he emotionally neutral but vocally flawless.’ The Financial Times “As in all great stagings - and I have no doubt that this is one - a list of unforgettable links between text, music and action soon accumulates. It's hard to know where to point the awards finger first in such a complete ensemble performance...Despite the ferocious competition, absolutely unmissable.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Teatro Real, Madrid, on the 25th & 28th September 2008.
Marcelo Álvarez (Riccardo), Violeta Urmana (Amelia), Marco Vratogna (Renato), Elena Zaremba (Ulrica), Alessandra Marianelli (Oscar), Borja Quiza (Silvano), Miguel Sola (Samuel), Scott Wilde (Tom), Orlando Niz (Judge), César San Martín (Amelia's servant) Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real (Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus), Jesús López Cobos (conductor) & Mario Martone (stage director) Passion, loyalty and political conspiracy are the three pillars of Un ballo in maschera (1859), the ‘most operatic of all operas’. Set in XIX century Boston, Mario Martone’s atmospheric production for the Teatro Real in Madrid brings out all the innate theatricality and drama of Verdi’s work. World famous Argentinean tenor Marcelo Álvarez in the role of Riccardo leads a fabulous cast including Lithuanian soprano Violeta Urmana as his love Amelia and Elena Zaremba playing the witch Ulrica. Jesús López Cobos conducts the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in a performance that shows the lyricism and grandeur of this beautiful work, which marries grand opera and opera comique features with Verdi's classical Italian opera tradition. Extra features: Illustrated synopsis. Cast gallery. Running time 144 mins Region code All regions Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Disc size: BD50 Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 5.1 PCM Menu language EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT “[Renato] is given a careful, possibly subtle reading by Marco Vratogna...You won't be short-changed by this DVD” BBC Music Magazine, April 2010 *** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Luca Pisaroni (Ercole), Veronica Cangemi (Iole), Anna Bonitatibus (Giunone), Jeremy Ovenden (Hyllo), Anna Maria Panzarella (Deianira), Marlin Miller (Licco), Umberto Chiummo (Nettuno/Tevere/Spirit of Eutyro), Wilke te Brummelstroete (Bellezza/Venere), Johannette Zomer (Cinzia/Parsitea/Spirit of Clerica), Mark Tucker (Mercurio/Spirit of Laomedonte) & Tim Mead (Paggio/Spirit of Bussiride) Concerto Köln & Chorus of De Nederlandse Opera, Ivor Bolton (conductor) & David Alden (stage director) This hilarious contemporary version of Francesco Cavalli’s baroque opera Hercules in Love was commissioned on occasion of the marriage of Louis XIV, the Sun King, to Maria Theresa of Spain. The original production took two years to complete and was at the time the greatest show ever performed in Europe. Directed by David Alden, this surreal production is a triumph of commedia buffa resplendent with decorative and symbolic elements, and complemented by Constance Hoffman’s exceptional costumes. Led by Ivor Bolton, a master of baroque music, the chorus of De Nederlandse Opera and Concerto Köln give a sublime performance. With Luca Pisaroni’s (Ercole) singing being heroic and melodious in turn, and Veronica Cangemi as a splendid Iole, this is an outstanding production by the DNO. Filmed in High Definition and surround sound. Extra features: Illustrated synopsis. Cast gallery. Behind the scenes with Johanette Zomer. Behind the scenes with Luca Pisaroni. The making of Ercole Amante. Region code All regions Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Disc size: BD50 Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 5.0 DTS Surround Menu language EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT/NL “The production, like the piece, is moving, funny and literally action-packed. Alden knows well when to fill or empty his stage....Bolton leads his large authentic-instrument forces with gusto...Hugely recommended.” Gramophone Magazine “This is a ravishing production in every department - scenery, stage effects, costumes, dancing, acting and music. Luca Pisaroni is an assured and vigorous Hercules...but it is Cavalli's women who steal the show...this is an enterprising, entertaining and enlightening offering from Amsterdam.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2010 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Teatro Real, Madrid, on 8th, 10th and 12th October 2005.
Carlos Álvarez (Don Giovanni), Lorenzo Regazzo (Leporello), María Bayo (Donna Anna), José Bros (Don Ottavio), Sonia Ganassi (Donna Elvira), José Antonio López (Masetto), María José Moreno (Zerlina), Alfred Reiter (Commendatore) Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real (Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus), Víctor Pablo Pérez (conductor) & Lluis Pasqual (stage director) Lluis Pasqual's powerful production for the Spanish capital sets Da Ponte's timeless story of sleaze and seduction into the dark world of 1940s Spain. Carlos Álvarez, in the title role, toys with the affections of Donna Anna, Zerlina and the Spanish lady Donna Elvira, before his overpowering methods finally bring his own destruction. Extra features: Illustrated synopsis. Cast gallery. Interviews with Lluis Pasqual, Carlos Álvarez and Víctor Pablo Pérez. Running time 208 mins Region code All regions Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Disc size: BD50 Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 2.0 & 5.1 PCM (TBC) Menu language EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT “The cast set to with a will vocally and dramatically...Víctor Pablo Pérez accompanies accommodatingly in a performance of appropriate but not over-grand scale...The Blu-ray pictures convey well the perspective depth of Frigerio's set and Wolfgang von Zoubek's atmospheric lighting of the fairground sequences.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2010 “Updating is more or less de rigueur in today's operatic circles and Madrid once again comes up with the goods in a wholly plausible re-siting of Giovanni to 1940s Spain. The transfer of the various scenes is by and large convincing and Lluis Pasquel's perceptive ideas about the characters illuminate afresh the familiar story, with the opera's saturnine side very much to the fore.
Carlos Álvarez, a Giovanni recalling in voice George London in the part, wholly dominates this opera with a nasty, driven reading of the lecher and bully. Like London, he sings with dark-hued intensity throughout. His must be the best Don about today. By his side is Lorenzo Regazzo as Leporello: he proves a wonderfully resourceful actor and singer, and a proper alter ego to his master. Their enactment of the cemetery scene is masterly in all respects.
José Bros is a concerned Ottavio, whose longbreathed 'Il mio tesoro' is a wonder. Much the most exciting of the female singers is Sonia Ganassi's deeply felt, urgently sung Elvira, her 'Mi tradì' a bravura performance. María Bayo seems over-parted and uninteresting as Anna, and the Zerlina is ordinary, as is her Masetto.
Underlining the whole venture is the keenly shaped, fast-moving musical direction of Victor Pablo Pérez, a conductor obviously worth watching. Speeds are on the fast side, welcome in this long work and well tailored to the cast.
The Madrid Symphony is its customary alert self. The same can be said for Robin Lough's video direction.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Gramophone Awards 2009
Gramophone Magazine