DVD Videos

“The Duke must of necessity be a lecher” – with these words Verdi opposed the police censorship of his Rigoletto. For the then government the dissipated and unscrupulous life at court was portrayed too realistically in the opera, so that only after considerable revision was Rigoletto finally premièred in Venice in 1851. Verdi drew his scenario from Victor Hugo’s tragedy Le roi s’amuse, the name Rigoletto being a variation of the French rigoleur (jester).

THE ARENA OF VERONA

Verona’s Arena is the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatre after the Coliseum in Rome. Built in the first century A.D., it was originally situated outside the city walls but in 265 the city’s fortifications were rebuilt, enclosing the Arena. In the course of history it has witnessed gladiatorial combat, tournaments, duels and bullfi ghts. Since 10 August 1913 the Arena has been the setting for Verona’s famous summer opera festival.

Sound Format: PCM STEREO,

DD 5.1, DTS 5.1

DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC

Picture Format: 16:9

Running Time: 134 mins

FSK: 0

Subtitle Languages: GB, DE, FR, ES, IT, CN

200 young musicians from 28 nations united in the language of music! Under the direction of Plácido Domingo their interpretation of the Verdi Requiem has become a hymn to life and a stellar moment of classical music. This live recording is available on CD and DVD video.

NTSC/16:9 REGION 0 – English and German Language and Subtitles

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 athmospheric 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

Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic

Sound format 5.1 Half DTS Surround / PCM Stereo

Menu language EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT

Rising star Saimir Pirgu is set to resume his role as Alfredo at Covent Garden in 2010.

A bold, colourful production, enhanced by the costumes of Belgian fashion designer Kaat Tilley.

The opera attracted the interest of the Dutch Ministry of Culture, which has sponsored it.

Picture Format: 16:9

Sound Format: SS 5.1 / LPCM 2.0

NTSC

Region Code: 0

Available Worldwide

Embedded Japanese subtitles remain on screen throughout. Optional subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. 127 min., Black & white, mono, 4:3, All regions

This 1973 Aida stars two of the most celebrated singers of their time, tenor Carlo Bergonzi and Fiorenza Cossotto, both in prime form here. In true Italian tradition, their voices are as affective in the lyrical passages calling for velvety beauty of tone as in the fiery dramatic sections of the opera. The title role is sung by Orianna Santunione, a dramatic soprano of remarkable power, evenness, and intensity.

The other principal singers in this performance are Gianpiero Mastromei, a commanding Amonasro, and Ivo Vinco, an imposing and dignified Ramfis, The forces of the NHK Symphony Orchestra are under the direction of conductor Oliviero De Fabritiis, who backs up the singers with an emotionally charged account of the masterful score. The beautiful and lavish sets and costumes are by the renowned designer Pier Luigi Pizzi.

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 136mins

Region code All regions

Picture format 16:9

Anamorphic Sound format 2.0 PCM & 5.1 DTS

Menu language EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/IT

This live production from the 2008 Salzburg Festival features young singers Marina Poplavskaya and Stephen Costello and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of leading Verdian Riccardo Muti, in a new production by Stephen Langridge, known from his successful work at London´s Royal Festival Hall, Tokio and Bregenz.

Bonus Talking Otello (20 minutes)

DVD: DD 5.1, PCM Stereo

Set Design by Paul Brown

In their series of celebrated opera productions from the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Arthaus presents a staging of Rigoletto, one of Verdi’s most popular operas. The tragic opera about the Duke of Mantua, the court jester Rigoletto and his daughter Gilda forms part of the composer’s trilogia popolare together with La Traviata and Il Trovatore. It is full of melodious arias, expressive duets and highly dramatic orchestration.

With the brilliant Marcelo Álvarez singing the Duke of Mantua and baritone Carlos Álvarez, whose Rigoletto has been hailed as the perfect embodiment of Verdi‘s court jester, appearing in the title role, this production presents international stars in two of the leading roles. The dramatic requirements of this well-conceived and convincing interpretation are both musically and visually extremely well met by the leading male singers and Inva Mula’s Gilda. She is a Verdi soprano par excellence. The remarkable ensemble, orchestra and chorus of Barcelona’s Liceu under the experienced baton of Jesús López Cobos prove the opera house’s international standing once again. Graham Vick’s production and Paul Brown’s sets and costumes aim to convey the essence of the drama conceptually rather than literally which makes for a captivating performance.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC

Subtitle Languages: IT, GB, DE, FR, ES, Catalan

Running Time: 130 mins

FSK: 0

Set Design by Stefan Mayer.

One of the lesser known works by Giuseppe Verdi, Simon Boccanegra is regarded by most opera lovers as one of his finest. The action takes place in the 14th century and deals with the political and personal rivalry between the corsair Simon Boccanegra, who has been elected Doge of Genoa with the help of the plebeian vote, and the local nobleman, Jacopo Fiesco.

Arthaus presents a „visually alert, musically sensitive and disturbingly coherent“ (Der Standard) production of the piece on DVD. The staging was directed by one of the giants of the European theatre, Peter Stein. His fondness for atmospherically dense spaces in which the characters can fully develop is particularly well brought out in his Vienna production, not least because he had at his disposal two remarkable singing actors for the principal male roles, Thomas Hampson and Ferruccio Furlanetto. The Vienna State Opera’s Simon Boccanegra was a great event in the house’s history, and the beauties of this unique work to blossomed under Daniele Gatti’s care.

Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD, 5.1, DTS 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9

DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC

Subtitle Languages: IT, GB, DE, FR, ES

Running Time: 137 mins

FSK: 0