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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Recorded live at the Vlaamse Opera Antwerpen/Gent, 2009
Torsten Kerl (Samson), Marianna Tarasova (Dalila), Nikola Mijailovic (High Priest), Gijs Van der Linden (Old Hebrew) Symphonic Orchestra and Choir of the Flanders Opera, Tomáš Netopil (conductor) & Omri Nitzan and Amir Nizar Zuabi (directors) Using the example of the impossible love between the Jew Samson and the Philistine Dalila, Camille Saint-Saëns shows the deadly conflict between two hostile cultures and religions. Staged by the Flanders Opera Company in Antwerp in 2009, Saint-Saëns’ opera Samson et Dalila is re-located in this production to the contemporary Middle East. The two directors, Israeli Omri Nitzan and Palestinian Amir Nizar Zuabi, explore the tensions between different nations and religions, and the complex relationship between the oppressors and the oppressed. ‘In our approach to this opera we tried to move away from the quasi-biblical interpretation, and to place the story in today’s world to explain its political aspects better,’ say the two directors. ‘Acts of terror by a state will lead to acts of terror against a state, which in turn will lead to more terror by the state and this completes the vicious circle.’ Performed by the Symphonic Orchestra and Choir of Vlaamse Opera Antwerp/Gent under the baton of Czech conductor Tomáš Netopil, Samson is sung by the young German tenor Torsten Kerl and Dalila by the Russian mezzo-soprano Marianna Tarasova. The kaleidoscopic colours of the music are brought out with sensitivity and lyricism by the orchestra and singers, unfolding the dramatic story in all its tragic beauty. With this production the intendant, Aviel Cahn, hopes to elucidate the future course he intends to follow with the Flanders Opera: bringing opera to today’s people. Samson and Dalila promises to be a production that no serious opera connoisseur would want to miss. Bonus: The Making of Samson et Dalila - including interviews with the production team and Torsten Kerl Picture format: NTSC - 16:9 Sounds formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Subtitles: French, English, German, Dutch Running time: 122 mins (+ Bonus 16 mins) “Torsten Kerl's timbre suits Samson musically and textually...Kerl is massively built, but he's unafraid of movement and mantains a sympathetic presence.” International Record Review, July/August 2011 “Set in Gaza, Samson et Dalila is ripe for a modern update, especially when jointly directed by an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian...[they] have swapped the role of the Jews from occupied to occupying force...[Kerl's] clarion Wagnerian tenor rings out gloriously...there’s a sincerity and simplicity in his approach which works rather well. Tomas Netopil leads the performance...with plenty of orchestral muscle and vivid excitement in the orgiastic ‘Bacchanale’.” Opera Britannia, 30th June 2011 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Semperoper, Dresden, 2–3 June 2000
Michael Hampe, staging For Handel’s Serse, Christophe Rousset casted a female singer in the role of Xerxes, which was written for the soprano castrato Caffarelli. Paula Rasmussen is the star in this acclaimed production live from the Semperoper, Dresden, directed for stage by Michael Hampe. Superbly performed under the baton of Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques, this is an elegant and charming production with an outstanding cast. This beautiful production of Handel’s Serse presents a tale of intrigue, deception and true love. Xerxes, King of the Persians (the magnificent Paula Rasmussen) and his brother Arsamenes (Ann Hallenberg) are in love with Romilda. Romilda, however, only has eyes for Arsamenes, as does her sister Atalanta. Add to the mix a spurned lover, a doting father and an idiotic servant (the hilarious Matteo Peirone), and one is confronted with tragedy, comedy and romance in equal measures. Picture format BD: NTSC 4:3 Sounds formats BD: PCM 2.0, PCM 5.1 Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Subtitles: Italiano, English, Deutsch, French, Spain Running time: 160 mins Audience: all | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Berlin Opera NightRecorded live at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, 2003
Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Kent Nagano Major stars of the international opera stage come together with the Chor und Orchester of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, under the baton of the illustrious Kent Nagano, in this opera gala in aid of the German AIDS Foundation. Highlights from operas by Mozart, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Saint-Saëns, Massenet, Dvorák, Wagner, Richard Strauss, Lehár and Johann Strauss II are performed by world-class musicians from around the globe. Proceeds from the sales of this title go to support the work of the German AIDS Foundation. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 78 mins FSK: 0 “In a rather mixed bag, there are a number of class acts...the highlight performance of the night in respect of bringing a role alive...[is]
Kasarova singing an expressive and beautifully realised Werther!...The audience might have been more thrilled by the tenors at full throttle, but this is the highlight for me - a gold nugget in this collection.” MusicWeb International, June 2011 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | The Berliner Philharmoniker in TokyoRecorded live at the Suntory Hall, Tokyo, 26 November 2000
For years the Berliner Philharmoniker have been famous for their acclaimed concerts in Japan. In this live recording from the year 2000, they perform under the direction of Mariss Jansons. He returns to direct the Berliner Philharmoniker, rekindling their long-standing relationship that began in 1976. Tokyo’s Suntory Hall is alive to a programme of particular musical energy − sometimes overt and joyous, sometimes suppressed and intense. Jansons’ fidelity to music composed during the Soviet era remains heartfelt: Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, featuring soloist Hilary Hahn, is rendered with poise, elegance and demoniac vigour. This piece is framed by two sprightly works: Weber’s charming, zesty Overture to Oberon and Dvorák’s Eighth Symphony, executed with Bohemian-esque lyricism and verve. A new stunning release in our series of legendary recordings of the Berliner Philharmoniker - a new chapter of the amazing Berliner Philharmoniker Story. Hilary Hahn is a two-time Grammy Award-winning soloist. She is celebrated for her probing interpretations, technical assurance and compelling stage presence. Her extensive international performances and recording activities have made Hahn one of the most important artists of our years. (see www.hilaryhahn.com) Picture format BD: NTSC - 16:9 Sounds formats BD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 99 mins FSK: 0 “Jansons moulds an expressive performance, his batonless hands eloquent and fluid. Hahn's technical perfection in the Shostakovich would be hard to beat...The camera is on Jansons a lot and he provides an object lesson in when to conduct the music, when to beat time, and how important the eyes are as a means of communication.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2011 **** “As the opening of Dvorak's Eighth is moulded and caressed into Mariss Jansons...it quickly becomes apparent how distant we are from the plain-speaking affection of a native account by Talich or Ancerl...This is an exceptional account.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2011 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Introducing Haydn: Symphony No. 94Documentary and full performance
Performance recorded live at the Hagia Eirene, Istanbul, 5 May 2001. Picture format: NTSC 16:9 Sound format: PCM Stereo / Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS 5.1 Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 27 mins (documentary) + 24 mins (performance) “[Levin] captures the work's spirit, as does the sparkling performance.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2011 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Introducing Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Host: Wulf Konold A new way of experiencing and enjoying the great works of music from the Baroque to the Modern Period – thanks to a new educational series of audio-visual concert guides, Introducing Masterpieces of Classical Music. Each release includes extensive documentation and a complete performance of the work or works in question. Famous masterpieces from the standard repertoire of the greatest international orchestras are brought closer to the viewer through first class concert broadcasts (Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Philharmoniker, Gewandhaus Orchester…) in a timely visual style. Includes 26 mins introductory feature + full concert performance of the masterpiece! Ludwig van Beethoven’s ninth and last symphony is considered one of the highlights of symphonic music. Through using the human voice, Beethoven questions the effect of purely instrumental music, and he exerted a sustained influence on all generations of composers after him. The German Beethoven expert Wulf Konold explains the central characteristics of this exciting masterpiece. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 26 mins (documentary) + 69 mins (performance) FSK: 0 “An exceptionally good introduction to the Choral Symphony, succinctly providing insight into the music and a sense of how it confounded the expectations of Beethoven's contemporaries.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2011 ***** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Introducing Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
Host: Wulf Konold A new way of experiencing and enjoying the great works of music from the Baroque to the Modern Period – thanks to a new educational series of audio-visual concert guides, Introducing Masterpieces of Classical Music. Each release includes extensive documentation and a complete performance of the work or works in question. Famous masterpieces from the standard repertoire of the greatest international orchestras are brought closer to the viewer through first class concert broadcasts (Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Philharmoniker, Gewandhaus Orchester…) in a timely visual style. Includes 29 mins introductory feature + full concert performance of the masterpiece! Berlioz’ “Fantastic Symphony” is widely regarded as one of the most important and representative pieces of the early Romantic period. Leonard Bernstein once called it “the first musical expedition into psychedelia” because of its hallucinatory and dream-like nature. The German musicologist Wulf Konold describes the idea behind and the realization of this fascinating work. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Region code: 0 Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 29 mins (documentary) + 53 mins (performance) FSK: 0 “The introductory film conveys Berlioz's extraordinary sensibility well, along with the radical nature of the work. Mariss Jansons's performance is fine, if not as extraordinary as the music.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2011 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | If I Were a Rich Man: The Life of Jan PeerceA film by Peter Rosen – Hosted by Isaac Stern
Jan Peerce was a great singer, universally acclaimed as one of the outstanding artists of his time, a role model of the American Dream. Commencing with Peerce`s roots on the Lower East Side of New York, and traveling “uptown” and around the world with him, we will view his life through music performance, and interviews with famed concert violinist, and host, Isaac Stern. In addition, video and film footage of Jan Peerce, some of which has never been publicly shown, will bring to life his dynamic, entertaining, and witty personality. One hour biography of the life of the famous Metropolitan Opera tenor. Supported by grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Languages: English Running time: 59 mins FSK: 0 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | A Different Way: Tango with Rodolfo MederosA film by Gabriel Szollosy & Bonus: Documentary Domingueando.
Rodolfo Mederos (bandoneon) Recorded in Buenos Aires, May 2007 Rodolfo Mederos is a bandoneonist, a composer with an enormous oeuvre, one of the authorities on the tango – and an inspiration to new generations of musicians. The artist thrives on his city, floating above Buenos Aires like an angel, his playing captures the essence of a gigantic metropolis that never sleeps and only finds moments of rest in Rodolfo’s music. His tunes are an inseparable part of the city and reflect its modernism and intensity. Mederos is a child of the modern age, yet constantly aware of his roots. Hundreds of tourists come to Buenos Aires to explore the tango – a genre that has long spread all over the world. Rodolfo is now 65 and at the prime of his career. His struggle for the tango – the lonely campaign of a man and his bandoneon – continues. The future remains uncertain; the only road open is straight ahead. The audience – today’s and tomorrow’s – is already waiting. Picture format DVD: NTSC 16:9 Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo Region code: 0 Booklet notes: English, German, French Subtitles: German, French, Japanese Running time: 56 mins (A Different Way); 57 mins (Domingueando) | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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