Puccini: | La fanciulla del West Puccini's penultimate opera is set at the height of the California gold rush. In this Royal Opera recording, filmed in 1983, Carol Neblett sings the role of Minnie, ‘The Girl of the Golden West’, and Placido Domingo is as ignitable as ever in the role of Dick Johnson, alias the bandit, Ramirez. The much-admired production, still in repertory at The Royal Opera, is by Piero Faggioni, and the conductor is Nello Santi. Carol Neblett & Placido Domingo Nello Santi Manon Lescaut This famous production from The Royal Opera, filmed in 1983, features Kiri Te Kanawa in the title role and Plácido Domingo, whose performance of Des Grieux is considered to be unsurpassed. The role of Des Grieux is one of the most taxing in the tenor repertoire, and Domingo’s passionate portrayal is one of his greatest achievements. Lescaut is sung by Thomas Allen, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House is conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli. Kiri Te Kanawa, Plácido Domingo & Thomas Allen Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Giuseppe Sinopoli Tosca For the first time, the long-awaited ‘live’, real-time Tosca, filmed in Rome in 1992, is available on DVD. For this unique and highly innovative version of Puccini’s Tosca., the acts were staggered so that they were broadcast at the very same times of day as Puccini had written into his score, and were broadcast live by satellite around the world. Tosca was also performed in the exact settings –: in the 16th-century church of Sant’Andrea della Valle, the nearby
Palazzo Farnese and finally at Castel Sant’Angelo. Plácido Domingo, Catherine Malfitano & Ruggero Raimondi Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Rome RAI, Zubin Mehta |
