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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Operetta Film From 1973
Antonio Theba (Paganini), Teresa Stratas (Princess Anna Elisa), Johannes Heesters (Prince Felice), Dagmar Koller (Bella Giretti), Peter Kraus (Pimpinelli) & Fritz Tillmann (Count Carcasona) Symphony Orchestra Kurt Graunke, Munich, Wolfgang Ebert (conductor) & Eugen York (stage director) Script by PAUL KNEPLER AND BELA JENBACH Television adaptation by ROLF AND ALEXANDRA BECKER, EUGEN YORK Franz Lehár’s operetta „Paganini“ (Vienna, 1925) marked the start of a new period in the composer’s work that was strongly influenced by the tenor Richard Tauber. Lehár now began to write works that were highly demanding in vocal terms and stylistically closely modelled on the opera repertoire. The enormous success achieved by these works prove how right he was in not merely trying to make people laugh, but also to provide them with emotionally moving situations. One of the most successful operettas from this period was undoubtedly „Paganini“, which includes the immortal melody „Gern hab‘ ich die Frau’n geküsst“. Now for the first time, the legendary 1973 film version of the operetta offers an opportunity to experience once again stars like Teresa Stratas, Peter Kraus, Dagmar Koller and, last but not least, Johannes Heesters. Sound Format: PCM Stereo Picture Format: 4:3 Colour DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: DE (Original Language), GB, FR Running Time: 107 mins FSK: 0 “The colour film and sound recording, from 1973, are very good...Lovely melodies, lovely production.” MusicWeb International, December 2012 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Recorded live at The Royal Opera House, 13 June, 2011
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 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Diana Damrau (Konstanze), Olga Peretyatko (Blonde), Christoph Strehl (Belmonte), Norbert Ernst (Pedrillo), Franz-Josef Selig/Christoph Quest (Bassa Selim) Orquestra Simfònica del Gran Teatre del Liceu, Ivor Bolton Staged by Christof Loy at Gran Teatre de Liceu, 2011 Barcelona’s prestigious Gran Teatre del Liceu presents Mozart’s beloved singspiel in an elegant, dramaturgically twisted production with a sparkling cast of top-rank international stars headed by coloratura soprano Diana Damrau as Konstanze and rising opera star Olga Peretyatko as Blonde. German soprano Diana Damrau achieved a huge success and was hailed by critics as a thrilling Konstanze. Christoph Strehl, a tall and aristocratic tenor of important means and burnished technique, made Belmonte’s difficult music sound easy. Franz Josef Selig was celebrated by critics as one the best Osmins that had ever performed in that role. Christoph Loy has conjured up a thought-provoking and strikingly original scenario in which both Konstanze and Blonde are feeling respect, admiration and even profound love for their captors. The result is a tantalising approach that overturns the traditional patterns of good and evil. Running Time Total: 188 minutes DVD: DTS 5.1, PCM 2.0 Subtitles English, German, French, Spanish, Catalan, Chinese, Korean “in this Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail everything is germane to the text that Mozart set, and Loy makes work of depth and strong emotion from what can seem like an overlong comedy...every singer acts with the intensity and conviction of a 'straight' actor. Ivor Bolton's conducting is relaxed and affectionate, and really there is no respect in which this performance falls short of being a triumph.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2012 ***** “Christof Loy's minimalist staging works well, and an impressive cast creates a great deal of intensity nicely caught by the cameras...Damrau is a superb Konstanze, secure and consistently beautiful.” Classical Music, 24th March 2012 **** “This is to be a serious psychological drama and the pace is punishingly slow...Damrau scored a notable success as Konstanze and her accomplished singing of a difficult role (she sings the extended version of 'Marten aller Arten') is the main highlight of the performance. Christoph Strehl's Belmonte is stylish and sensitive...Ivor Bolton gets lively playing at uncontroversial speeds” Gramophone Magazine, May 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Live Recording from The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 2011
Stage Design by HANS-MARTIN SCHOLDER This highly acclaimed production of Strauss’ Salome from the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden is staged by German director Nikolaus Lehnhoff. Starring Angela Denoke as “a brilliant Salome” (FAZ), who is joined by a great ensemble of soloists, Kim Begley, Doris Soffel and Alan Held. Performing with “great aplomb” (FAZ), the Deutsches Sinfonie Orchester Berlin, conducted by Stefan Soltez, was also enthusiastically celebrated by critics and audience. Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.0 Picture Format: 16:9 DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: DE (Original Language), GB, FR, IT, ES, JP, Korean Running Time: 112 mins FSK: 12 “Denoke wins her place in the sun as a lithe if hardly sex-kittenish Salome. She has an expressive, secure and slightly dark-timbred voice...Held is a physically and vocally powerful prophet...It's all clear and slick throughout but never quite makes the flesh creep.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2012 *** “there's no denying the conviction of the performance, and the filming is suitably bold in its use of close-up...the unseen conductor Stefan Soltesz makes a powerful impression and the torrid score breathes but never drags. Denoke has the measure of the taxing title-role: assuming that we have is a single, unedited performance, she does particularly well to save an extra degree of vocal heft for the final scene.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2012 “this Nikolaus Lehnhoff-directed production draws vivid and valid characterizations and motivations...Kim Begley's big-voiced Herod is properly nasty; Doris Soffel's ageing movie-star-like Herodias is both shrill and menacing; and Alan Held's Jokanaan is filled with scorn, piety and grandeur.” International Record Review, April 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded 2011 Teatro Real, Madrid
Ludovic Tézier (Count Almaviva), Barbara Frittoli (Countess Almaviva), Luca Pisaroni (Figaro), Isabel Rey (Susanna), Marina Comparato (Cherubino) Orchestra of the Teatro Real Madrid, Jesús López Cobos (conductor) & Emilio Sagi (director) From the opening notes of the overture to the final curtain, Emilio Sagi’s classic, triumphant production fully brings to life all the elegant wit and theatricality of Mozart’s comic masterpiece. Leading baritone Ludovic Tézier shines as the lustful Count Almaviva who attempts to obtain the favours of Figaro’s bride-to-be, Susanna (Isabel Rey), while Luca Pisaroni gives a feisty performance as Figaro. Conductor Jesús López Cobos masterfully captures the enchanting score. A witty yet profound tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. Audio DVD/2.0 LPCM/5.1 DTS Picture format NTSC Audio BD LPCM stereo and 5.0 DTS-HD Master Audio “This is an attractive 'period' production, staged with bright, warm colours (all the more vivid in Blu-ray). The cast is good with some very fine singing...Barbara Frittoli as the Countess makes a beautiful sound, though her consonants are often underplayed...Emilio Sagi's direction clarifies the action...Jesus Cobos rarely misses a trick” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 **** “this performance doesn't play by the same rules as its elegant Glyndebourne counterparts or its stylish Salzburg cousins. This is Mediterranean Mozart, bigger in sound, more emotionally extravagant in manner and somewhat less refined on nearly every level...[Pisaroni] performance here shows why his Figaro is getting around: he vividly projects the character's inner life, both vocally and theatrically, without any musical distortion” Gramophone Magazine, July 2012 “'Bravo' to Luca Pisaroni, whose Figaro has everything...Unfailingly sympathetic, Pisaroni has an utterly natural physicality - singer and role seemingly indivisible...Handsome, imposing and velvet-voiced, Ludovic Tezier acts with becoming dignity but insufficient authority...Jesus Lopez Cobos brings refreshing elegance to the performance...there's a good deal to enjoy here and Pisaroni's portrayal is essential viewing.” International Record Review, May 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded 2011 Teatro Real, MadridFlamenco version
Vanesa Vento (Carmen), Ángel Gil (Don José), Joaquín Mulero (Husband) & Jairo Rodríguez (Bullfighter) Orchestra of the Teatro Real Madrid Script, Choreography and Lighting Antonio Gades and Carlos Saura Stage Setting Antonio Saura Artistic Director Stella Arauzo Created by Antonio Gades in collaboration with Carlos Saura, this matchless production shows how the explosive power and intensity of feeling in traditional Spanish flamenco can bring vividly to life the sultry passion, earthy emotion, love and rivalry that is Carmen. Filmed in High Definition at the Teatro Real, Madrid for the 75th anniversary celebration of Gades’ birth, the ‘Compañía Antonio Gades’ performs Carmen to perfection. Antonio Gades is one of the most influential figures in Spanish flamenco. He played a decisive role in getting the genre recognized by the contemporary art world. Gades started performing his choreography for Georges Bizet's Carmen in the 1960s, taking it all the way to the Teatro alla Scala, Milan. This was one of his most successful ballets. It was also brought to the big screen by Carlos Saura in 1983, a film that received an Oscar nomination and won the Jury's Award at the Cannes Festival. Audio DVD/2.0 LPCM/5.1 DTS Picture format NTSC Audio BD LPCM stereo and 5.0 DTS-HD Master Audio | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Live Recording from The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Firenze 2011
Set Design by DANTE FERRETTI Zubin Mehta conducts Aida, Verdi’s most spectacular and over-the-top opera, in a new production from the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Starring Marco Berti, Luciana D’Intino and Hui He. Verdi’s Aida is one of the most popular operas of all time. It premiered at the Cairo Opera House on Christmas Eve, 1871, and was an immediate commercial success. The plot of Aida is filled with political intrigue, love, betrayal, passion, and vengeance, and has captivated audiences for generations. What piqued general curiosity about this new production of Aida was undoubtedly the operatic debut of Ferzan Ozpetek, a Turkish auteur who, after settling in Italy as a student, has become one of the most prominent directors of Italian cinema in the last decade, directing acclaimed films as “La finestra di fronte” (Facing Windows) and “Mine Vaganti” (Loose Cannons). Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1 Picture Format: 16:9 DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES, JP, Korean Running Time: 151 mins FSK: 0 “Vocally, there are strengths and weaknesses. Lucaina D'Intino's Amneris operates on the grandest scale, fired by energy and passion. Marco Berti's Radamès is solid but stiff...Ambrogio Maestri's Amonasro is powerful but rough-hewn. There's an excellent Ramfis from Giacomo Prestia...[He's] acting is on the same level as the rest of the cast, but her singing of this demanding role is less accomplished” BBC Music Magazine, August 2012 ** “Mehta realizes the differing aspects of the score, from the intimate to the more spectacular outbursts, drawing the necessary colours from the Florence orchestra and building climaxes in rousing manner...[Hui He] should win a sympathetic response for Aida's plight...Luciana D'Intino pulls out all the stops, with much use made of chest-voice, as possibly/probably the most interesting player in the opera.” International Record Review, March 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Live Recording from The Opéra National De Paris, 2002
Set by JEAN-MARC STEHLÉ & ANTOINE FONTAINE This production of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, staged by Coline Serreau, was presented at the Opera Bastille for the fi rst time in 2002. It was the successful film director’s second opera project. The international cast features one of the leading lyric mezzos working in the Rossini repertoire – American Joyce DiDonato sings Rosina. German-Italian star tenor Roberto Saccà takes the role of her seducer, Count Almaviva and Czech baritone Dalibor Jenis, currently one of the best Figaros available, completes the leading trio. Delicate Spanish bass baritone Carlos Chausson playing Bartolo, Rosina’s guardian, and Icelandic bass Kristinn Sigmundsson as the curious music teacher Basilio provide suitable buffo material for the opera’s various comic scenes. Bruno Campanella, one of the leading interpreters of the Belcanto repertoire worldwide led this musically excellent event from the pit. French director Coline Serreau, best known for her film „Three men and a baby“ and her 70’s feminist documentaries sets the opera in a Seville under Osmanic occupation. For Serreau, the story of the imprisoned Rosina remains current in modern society where „the imprisonment of half of mankind is still the rule“. Sound Format: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Picture Format: 16:9 DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES Running Time: 152 mins FSK: 0 “The joy of this set is Joyce DiDonato. Otherwise the performance is decent routine” BBC Music Magazine, August 2012 *** “The production is lively, recitatives quick and close to speech...What a singer ... and actor! Dalibor Jenis!...DiDonato, here fairly early in her now illustrious career - this was her debut at the Paris Opéra - is the Rosina of one’s dreams... The DVD is worth its price for her contribution alone...[Sigmundsson's] booming La calunnia is exactly the showstopper it should be.” MusicWeb International, August 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Live Recording from The Teatro Comunale Di Bologna, 2006
José Cura (Andrea Chénier), Maria Guleghina (Maddalena di Coigny), Carlo Guelfi (Carlo Gérard), Giacinta Nicotra (La mulatta Bersi), Carlo Cigni (Roucher) Teatro Comunale Di Bologna, Carlo Rizzi (conductor) & Giancarlo Del Monaco (stage director) Set and Costume Design by GIANCARLO DEL MONACO Arthaus presents Andrea Chenier, one of the important works of Italian verismo, in a realistic staging at the Teatro Communale di Bologna. With José Cura and Maria Guleghina in the lead roles, the production proved to be a visual and musical feast for opera lovers. Umberto Giordano wrote his best-known work in 1896. It is based on the life of the French poet, André Chénier. The historical figure was born in Constantinople in 1762, the son of a French father and a Greek mother. In 1794, only a few days before Robespierre suffered the same fate, he was executed for his part in a prison uprising. He had been imprisoned for having visited the house of the painter and staunch royalist, the Marquis de Pastoret. Initially he had espoused the ideals of the Revolution, but his attitude had changed as a result of the arbitrary rule that had led to the murder of Marat and to the beginning of the Reign of Terror. Carlo Rizzi, highly-acclaimed conductor of the Italian repertoire with international standing, leads the ensemble through the score in an admirable Italian singer-conductor tradition. Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Picture Format: 16:9 DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES Running Time: 123 mins FSK: 0 “Apart from its clarity, the biggest assets are the three leading singers...[Cura is] a generous performer who recognises very sensibly that the presence of other strong singers on stage will serve only to enhance his own performance...The beauty of Guleghina’s voice is apparent from her first entrance and she lives her part most convincingly” MusicWeb International, June 2012 “[Cura] is not always as refined as he can be, though his singing in the big numbers is powerful...[Guleghina] sings with tender beauty, though she grows unsteady under pressure...Very impressive among the lesser characters is Carlo Cigni as Roucher.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Live Recording from The Teatro Alla Scala, Milan 2010
Set Design by PIER PAOLO BISLERI 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 DVD of the Teatro alla Scala’s 2010 production of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. Domingo is joined by Anja Harteros, Ferruccio Furlanetto and Fabio Sartori in this Daniel Barenboim conducted performance, directed by Federico Tiezzi. Plácido Domingo’s intention had been to bring down the curtain on his career in the (baritone) role of Simon Boccanegra. One can only hope – for our sake as well as his – that this truly great tenor of the modern era reneges on his promise and remains a unique vocal and dramatic presence on the opera stage long after the 70th birthday celebrations that were held in his honour on 21 January 2011. Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1 Picture Format: 16:9 DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES, JP, Korean Running Time: 149 mins FSK: 0 “Some signs of vocal wear ([Domingo] was 69 at the time) could be seen as fitting the character; in fact they're surprisingly few and far between...The finest vocal contribution comes from soprano Anja Harteros: as Amelia she sings with radiant tone and an effortless command of the role's difficulties...Barenboim stresses the score's sombre tones and gives it momentum” BBC Music Magazine, April 2012 *** “[Barenboim] delivers the kind of eloquently moulded, dramatically succinct phrases heard in his Wagner performances of late...[His] status as a Verdian outsider - and the fresh insights that come with that - is a genuine drawing card.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2012 “Neither the solo and choral singing nor the orchestral playing is ever less than such a work deserves...Domingo, Furlanetto and Cavaletti particularly are every inch in their roles...[but] There is a lot of standing and singing at each other which means that only the most seasoned performers, Domingo and Furlanetto in particular, dare act expressively” MusicWeb International, August 2012 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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