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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Elliott Carter - A Labyrinth of TimeA documentary film by Frank Scheffer
Languages: English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese. Comprehensive 12-page booklet contains authoritative essay, discography, photos
and biographies in English. “Unique insights into the composer's artistic philosophy and character.” www.bbc.co.uk | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Gran Fanfaria
“The Brass Ensemble, with their conductor, Thomas Clamor, were phenomenal…done with unbelievable panache and astonishing virtuosity.” The Guardian on the Proms Concert of the ensemble in August 2007 Recorded live at the Konzerthaus Berlin, 4 September 2007 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Amanda Squitieri (Beatrice Russo), Placido Domingo (Pablo Neruda), Charles Castronovo (Mario Ruoppolo), Cristina Gallardo-Domâs (Matilde Neruda), Nancy Fabiola Herrera (Donna Rosa), Vladimir Chernov (Giorgio), José Adán Pérez (Mario's Father), Jose Adan Perez (Di Cosimo) Los Angeles Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Grant Gershon | 
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| |  | Filmed in 1996 at the Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie, Brussels by Jacques BourtonHerbert Wernicke (director)
Maria Bayo (Calisto), Marcello Lippi (Giove), Hans Peter Kammerer (Mercurio), Graham Pushee (Endymion), Louise Winter (Diana), Alexander Oliver (Linfea), Dominique Visse (Satirino, une furie); Barry Banks (Pan, Natura), Reinhardt Dorn (Silvano), Sonia Theodoridou (Giunone) & Robin Tyson (furie) Concerto Vocale, René Jacobs Subtitles : French, Dutch, English, German “Though the fun is extreme, it can be argued that it follows period practice, and the sets with their elaborate trapdoors and gods descending from the heavens have a seveneeenth-century flavour...The sets dotted with nymphs are pretty and atmospheric.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition “Jacobs’s direction gave Cavalli’s excavated jewel a new lease of life. Maria Bayo, as Calisto, has a big, warm, rich soprano that won her an explosion of cheers.” International Herald Tribune | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Recorded at Vlaamse Opera, Antwerpen, May 2010
Christophe Dumaux (Giasone), Katarina Bradic (Medea), Robin Johannsen (Isifile), Josef Wagner (Giove/ Besso), Filippo Adami (Demo), Yaniv d’Or (Delfa / Eolo), Angélique Noldus (Amore/ Alinda), Andrew Ashwin (Ercole / Oreste) & Emilio Pons (Egeo / Sole) Symfonisch Orkest van de Vlaamse Opera, Federico Maria Sardelli Staged by Mariame Clément This is the World Première Recording on DVD of Cavalli’s opera Il Giasone. The plot is loosely based on the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece, but the opera contains many comic elements too. In the wake of Monteverdi, opera was enjoying a real boom in Europe and Francesco Cavalli was one of the most successful Venetian opera composers. Il Giasone was the single most popular opera of the 17th Century. This 2010 production from Antwerp is orchestrated and conducted by the internationally reputed baroque specialist Federico Maria Sardelli. It is directed by the young Frenchwoman Mariame Clément, who is currently making a name for herself with her infectious directing in German and French opera houses. The title role is sung by the promising French countertenor Christophe Dumaux. Blu-ray released next month. Sound Format: LPCM 2.0 / Dolby digital 5.1 Picture Format: 16:9 Subtitles: It, Eng, Ger, Fr, Sp, Kr Running Time: 198 mins + 5 min bonus (interview) Booklet Notes: It, Eng, Ger, Fr Available Worldwide Sung in Italian “A gratifyingly confident and persuasive actor, Dumaux offers velvety timbre through the whole range, terrific depth in the lower range and ornamentation applied with innate elegance.” International Record Review, June 2012 “Though Johannsen sings stylishly, Bradic's jolie laide Medea is slow to warm up, while Dumaux's shapely countertenor is too delicate to suggest a man of action...Orchestrally it's a delight, sensually swung on a hammock of lutes and harpsichords by conductor Federico Maria Sardelli, zestful in the Act II combattimento, bone-chilling in the sharp sforzandos of Medea's incantation.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2012 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Théâtre de Caen, October 2011
One of the first operas deserving of the name, Didone is our first surviving musical version of the famous episode in Virgil's Aeneid where the Trojan hero loves and then cruelly leaves the noble Dido. Cavalli learnt at the feet of Monteverdi, and his dramatic transformation of the story is all the more expressive for its intimacy, worthy of the examples set by his master. At the centre of this bold and simple staging – the first opera production by comic actor Clément Hervieu-Léger – is the Queen of Carthage herself, sung with uncompromising intensity by Anna Bonitatibus. William Christie and his singers and players show themselves entirely attuned to the world of Cavalli, where meaning and music fuse. Running time: 176 minutes Subtitles: EN/FR/DE Sound format: 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS “With a small orchestra of solo strings, continuo and a couple of woodwind, the focus is very much on the declamatory skills of the singers. Anna Bonitatibus is outstanding, especially in her confrontation, impassioned but dignified, with Aeneas...elegant, well-paced conducting from William Christie.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2012 “It's a fascinating piece. Cavalli treats Giovanni Busenello's libretto with dignity in a responsive setting...So, too, does Hervieu-Leger, capturing its complex narrative and emotional interaction with flair...there are no weak links in the cast, who impress as a real ensemble of actors...as always, Les Arts Florissants perform with enormous style.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2012 ***** “Anna Bonitatibus as Dido is first-class; her powerful mezzo voice is as resplendent as her wonderful name and Krešimir špicer’s Æneas is hardly far behind...Christie’s direction can almost be taken to guarantee a fine performance and that’s the case here...If you wish to have only one Cavalli recording in your collection, this would vie strongly for that honour” MusicWeb International, October 2012  BBC Music Magazine
DVD Choice - November 2012 |
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| |  | Direction, Sets and Costumes by Facoltà di Design e Arti dell’Università IUAV di Venezia
Claron McFadden, Magnus Staveland, Jordi Domènech, Manuela Custer, Marina De Liso, Donatella Lombardi, Isabel Álvarez, Antonio Lozano, Gian Luca Zoccatelli, Filippo Morace, Maria Grazia Schiavo & Roberto Abbondan Orchestra Europa Galante, Conducted by Fabio Biondi & Directed by Carlo Majer Preceded by a solemn prologue in which Iride admonishes mortals that they should not offend the gods, the story of Cavalli’s Didone comes to life thanks to numerous solo passages of highly varied character and structure, designed both for simple basso continuo support and for a more complex instrumental accompaniment, for five real parts which enjoy some independent moments and which create a diversion from the action or blend in with it in a wholly logical way, intensifying it in a studied, evocative manner. The tragic story of the Carthaginian queen is thus unfolded with extreme attention in a framework that had already been adopted by Monteverdi, of whom Cavalli is considered a worthy successor. In this case it is enlivened and, we might say, given a more popular, direct appeal as it aims to communicate with a public that is gradually expanding. The composer is sincere when he states: ”My spirit has always been far from the printing press: I have preferred to allow my weaknesses to run where fortune takes them with the pen rather than the press.” He identifies with the torment of Didone and with the ”force of nature” (Prunières) that is his and the brilliance of some of his solutions, he creates one of the most tragic, tormented operas of the entire seventeenth century. | | | 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 Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic Sound format 2.0 & 5.0 PCM 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, June 2010 “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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Giacinta Nicotra, Gemma Bertagnolli, Juan Sancho, Cristiana Arcari, Roberta Invernizzi, Marco Scavazza, Filippo Adami, Monica Piccinini, Filippo Morace, Roberto Abbondanza & Donatella Lombardi Europa Galante, Fabio Biondi Facoltà di Design e Arti Iuav – Venezia, direction/sets/costume La virtù de’ strali d’Amore was the first of ten operas Cavalli wrote with librettist Giovanni Faustini. Set in Cyprus, the plot involves enchanted and pastoral elements, love and its thwarting, the counterpointing of Man and God, sorcery, revelation and ultimate resolution, all accomplished in a brilliant series of scenes. A follower of Monteverdi, Cavalli reveals the influence of the older man but also his own pronounced independence. Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante have become one of the most admired partnerships in the history of baroque music performance. Video Format • NTSC / Colour / 16:9 / DVD 5 (Disc 1) & DVD 9 (Disc 2) Audio Format • DTS 5.0 / Dolby Digital 5.0 / PCM 2.0 Region Coding • No Region Coding | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | EUROPA KONZERT 2011 from MadridRecorded live at Teatro Real, Madrid, 1 May 2011
For over 20 years, the Berliner Philharmoniker have celebrated their foundation on May 1st with the annual EUROPA KONZERT - this year’s event takes place at the magnificent Teatro Real in Madrid. The renowned orchestra, under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, performs Joaquín Rodrigo's beloved Concierto de Aranjuez, Emmanuel Chabrier's exuberant España, and Sergey Rachmaninov's dramatic Second Symphony. It is joined for the Concierto by the famous flamenco guitarist Cañizares, whose virtuosity and sensitivity are given full opportunity to shine in this multi-faceted and subtle work. Bonus: Interview with Sir Simon Rattle Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 105 mins (97 mins Concert, 8 mins Interview) German FSK: 0 “Flamenco star Cañizares brings nonchalant authority to the Concierto de Aranjuez in a concert fizzing with energy, from a playful Espana to the sweeps of Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 2.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2011 **** “for all the luxury of the performance, Rattle never milks it; and for all the attention to the music's larger paragraphs, he never scants the particulars of the moment...From first note to last, there's not a moment of questionable ensemble, not a moment of strain. Is this, however, an unmitigated virtue?...This is a first-rate release, made all the more welcome by the excellent engineering and by the tactful camerawork” International Record Review, January 2012 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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