The 2011 Opening Concert for the Salzburg Festival consists of:
Berg Der Wein
Berg Lulu Suite
Mahler Das Klagende Lied
Pierre Boulez conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Concert Chorus of the Vienna State Opera (Chorus Master Jörn H. Andresen). Soloists are Dorothea Röschmann (soprano), Anna Prohaska (soprano), Anna Larsson (contralto), and Johan Botha (tenor). Directed for TV by Michael Beyer. Released 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Bach Mass in B minor and Beethoven Symphony No. 5 concert. This title has two segments:
Segment 1 was recorded in 2005:
Bach Mass in B minor. Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and the GewandhausKammerchor Leipzig (Chorus Master Morten Schuld-Jensen) at the 2005 Leipzig Bach Festival. Soloists are Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Anna Larsson (contralto), Christoph Genz (tenor), and Dietrich Henschel (bass). Includes a bonus film Bach and his B minor Mass with Herbert Blomstedt. This segment was directed for TV by Michael Beyer and produced by Paul Smaczny.
Segment 2 was recorded in 1999 in Leipzig:
1. Bach Toccata & Fugue in D minor (Jürgen Wolf organ)
2. Bach Motet "Fürchte dich nicht" (Thomaner Chor with Chorus Master George Christoph Biller)
3. Bach Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor "Chaconne" (Victoria Mullova violin)
4. Mendelssohn Elias Op. 70 "Höre Israel" (Gewandhausorchester and Nancy Argenta soprano)
5. Mendelssohn "Fürchte dich nicht" from Elias (Gewandhausorchester and GewandhausKammerchor)
6. Beethoven Symphony No. 5. (Gewandhausorchester)
7. Bach Mass in B Minor "Dona Nobis Pacem" (Gewandhausorchester, GewandhausKammerchor, and Thomaner Chor)
Segment 2 was directed for TV by Bob Coles and produced by Paul Smaczny with Isabel Iturriagagoilita. Released 2012, has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Cavalli La Didone opera to a libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello. Directed 2011 by Clément Hervieu-Léger at the Théâtre de Caen. Stars Anna Bonitatibus (Didone), Kresimir Spicer (Enea), Xavier Sabata (Iarba), Maria Streijffert (Ecuba), Katherine Watson (Cassandra), Tehila Nini Goldstein (Creusa/Giunone), Mariana Rewerski (Anna/Fortuna), Claire Debono (Venere/Iride), Terry Wey (Ascanio/Armore), Victor Torres (Anchise), Valerio Contaldo (Corebo/Eolo), Mathias Vidal (Ilioneo/Mercurio), Joseph Cornwell (Acate/Sicheo), and Francisco Javier Borda (Sinon Greco/Giove). William Christie conducts Les Arts Florissants. Set design by Éric Ruf; assistant set design by Hernan Peñuela; lighting design by Bertrand Couderc; assistant lighting design by Gilles Bottacchi; costume design by Caroline de Vivaise; assistant costume design by Brigette Laléouse-Gomes; artistic collaboration by Valérie Nègre; literary advice by Pierre Judet de la Combe; language coaching by Rita de Letteriis; musical assistance by Jonathan Cohen; Palo Zanzu was Chef de Chant. Directed for TV by Olivier Simonnet; Blu-ray producer was James Whitbourn. Released in 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Alan Berg Lulu opera to libretto by the composer (3-act version completed by Friedrich Cerha). Directed 2010 by Vera Nemirova at the Salzburg Festival (Haus für Mozart). Stars Patricia Petibon (Lulu), Michael Volle (Dr. Schön/Jack the Ripper), Thomas Piffka (Alwa), Tanja Ariane Baumgartner (Countess Geschwitz), Cora Burggraaf (Theatrical Dresser/High-school Boy/Groom), Pavol Breslik (Painter/Negro), Franz Grundheber (Schigolch), Thomas Johannes Mayer (Animal Taimer/Rodrigo, an Athlete), Heinz Zednik (Prince/Manservant), Andreas Conrad (Marquis), Martin Tzonev (Theater Manager/Banker), Emilie Pictet (Fifteen-year-old Girl), and Cornelia Wulkopf (Mother of Girl). Marc Albrecht conducts the Vienna Philharmonic. Sets by Daniel Richter; costumes by Klaus Noack; video direction by Brian Large. Sung in German; subtitles in English only because this title was intended to be limited to Region A. No keepcase booklet. Released 2012, has Dolby 5.0 sound. Grade: B
A EuroArts version of this title also came out in 2012. It was for discs that can be played on Region B and C players, although many have been able to play it in Region A also. The EuroArts version has a nice keepcase booklet, better sound than the Kultur disc, and more subtitles, including a track in German. See the EuroArts version for a full review and screenshots of this production.
Matthew Gurewitsch reviewed the Kultur Lulu disc. He praised Nemirova's production and gave it his "Critic's Choice" award in the June 2012 issue of Opera News (page 58). He especially liked the acting stating that "individually and as an ensemble, the players are riveting. Among them, the drama crackles." Opera News is a US magazine, so it's no mystery why Gurewitsch would view the Kultur product. His review is a good example how inadequate magazine reviews of HDVDs can be. Gurewitsch probably didn't know about the better version available from EuroArts. He doesn't mention the lack of a keepcase booklet, the lack of German subtitles, or the cheaper sound specification in the Kultur product. In fact, you can't tell if Gurewitsch watched the DVD or the Blu-ray version from Kultur.
The Nobuyuki Tsujii Carnegie Hall Debut Live solo piano concert was performed on November 10, 2011. This disc came out promptly in early 2012 for the Japanese market. For more comments about this concert, screenshots, and a the grade of A-, see the EuroArts version of this title.
Wagner Lohengrin opera to libretto by the composer. Directed 2011 by Hans Neuenfels at the Bayreuth Festival. Stars Georg Zeppenfeld (König Heinrich), Klaus Florian Vogt (Lohengrin), Annette Dasch (Elsa of Brabant), Jukka Rasilainen (Friedrich nov Telramund), Petra Lang (Ortrud), Samuel Youn (Herald), Stefan Heibach, Willem van der Heyden, Rainer Zaun, and Christian Tschelebiew (4 Nobelmen of Brabant). Andris Nelsons conducts the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra & Chorus (Chorus Master Eberhard Friedrich). Costume and stage design by Reinhard von der Thannen; lighting design by Frank Evin; video by Björn Verloh; dramaturgy by Henry Arnold; conceptual collaboration by Susanne Øglænd. Directed for TV by Michael Beyer. Sung in German. Released 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
This is the one with the rats!
OR
Francesco Cavalli Il Giasone opera to a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini and score revision by Alexander Krampe. Directed 2010 by Mariame Clément at the Vlaamse Opera in Antwerp (Flemish Opera of Antwerp). Stars Christophe Dumaux (Giasone), Katarina Bradić (Medea), Robin Johannsen (Isifile), Andrew Ashwin (Ercole/Oreste), Filippo Adami (Demo), Josef Wagner (Giove /Besso), Angélique Noldus (Amore/Alinda), Yaniv d’Or (Delfa/Eolo), and Emilio Pons (Egeo/Sole). Federico Maria Sardelli conducts the Symfonisch Orkest van de Vlaamse Opera. Set and costume design by Julia Hansen; light design by Philippe Berthomé. Directed for TV by Matteo Ricchetti. Released 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Here's the program:
Brahms Symphony No. 1
Dvořák Symphony No. 9 "New World"
Sibelius Symphony No. 5
Nielsen Symphony No. 3 "Sinfonia Espansiva"
Thomas Dausgaard conducts the Danish National Symphony Orchestra at the Koncerthuset in Copenhagen. Also features interviews with Dausgaard. Head of TV Project was Søren Therkelsen; Video Directors were Arne J. Rasmussen and Uffe Borgtardt; Sound Producer was Preben Iwan; Sound Engineer was Jan Oldrup. Released 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Richard Strauss Elektra opera to libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Directed 2005 by Martin Kušej at Opernhaus Zürich. Stars Eva Johansson (Elektra), Marjana Lipovšek (Klytämnestra), Melanie Diener (Chrysothemis), Rudolf Schasching (Aegisth), Aldred Muff (Orest), Reinhard Mayr (Tutor of Orest), Cassandra McConnell (The Confidant), Christine Zoller (Trainbearer), Andreas Winkler (A young servant), Morgan Moody (An old servant), Margaret Chalker (Overseer), Kismara Pessatti, Katharina Peetz, Irène Friedli, Liuba Chuchrova, and Sen Guo (5 Maids) as well as Martina Weingärtner, Thomas Bäuml, Gerhard Hänfling, and Baila Brasil Show (Movement Group). Christoph von Dohnányi conducts the Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House, the Chorus of the Zurich Opera House (Chorus Master: Ernst Raffelsberger), and the Zurich Opera House Extras Association. Sets by Rolf Glittenberg; costumes by Heidi Hackl; lighting by Jürgen Hoffmann; dramaturgy by Regula Rapp and Ronny Dietrich; directed for TV by Feliz Breisach. Released 2012, disc has 7.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: C+
Giovanni Simone Mayr Medea in Corinto opera to libretto by Giuseppe Felice Romani. Directed 2010 by Hans Neuenfels at the Nationaltheater München. Stars Nadja Michael (Medea), Ramón Vargas (Giasone), Elena Tsallagova (Creusa), Alek Shrader (Egeo), Alastair Miles (Creonte), Kenneth Roberson (Evandro), Francesco Petrozzi (Tideo), Laura Nicorescu (Ismene), Julia Dausacker (stage violin), and Joy Smith (stage harp). Ivor Bolton conducts the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, and the Supernumeries and Children Supernumeries of the Bayerische Staatsoper (Chorus Master Andrés Máspero). Set design by Anna Viebrock; costume design by Elina Schnizler; lighting design by Michael Bauer; assistant direction by Wolfgang Nägele, Sarah Peters, and Dominik Wagner; dramatic advisory by Rainer Karlitschek. Directed for TV by Thomas Grimm; director of photography was Werner Schwanninger. Released 2011, disc has 5.0 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: C+
Chopin Piano Concertos 1 & 2 concert played by Daniel Barenboim at the 2010 Ruhr Piano Festival with the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Andris Nelsons. Barenboim plays the Chopin Valse brillante in A Minor as encore. Also includes a performance of the Haydn Symphony in E minor ("Mourning") by the Staatskapelle Berlin and Nelsons. Directed for TV by Enrique Sánchez Lansch; director of photography was Nyika Jancsó; produced by Paul Smaczny. Released 2011, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: D+
Verdi Il trovatore opera to libretto by Salvadore Cammarano and Leone Emanuele Bardare. Directed 2011 by David McVicar at the Metropolitan Opera. Stars Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Il Conte di Luna), Sondra Radvanovsky (Leonora), Dolora Zajick (Azucena), Marcelo Álvarez (Manrico), Stefan Kocán (Ferrando), Maria Zifchak (Ines), Eduardo Valdes (Ruiz), Robert Maher (Un Vecchio Zingaro), and Raymond Aparentado (Un Messo). Marco Armiliato conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus (Chorus Master Donald Palumbo). Set design by Charles Edwards; costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel; lighting design by Jennifer Tipton; choreography by Leah Hausman; stage direction by Paula Williams; musical preparation by Jane Klaviter, Howard Watkins, J. David Jackson, Hemdi Kfir, and Vlad Iftinca; assistant stage direction by Daniel Rigazzi; fight direction by Nigel Poutlon; dramaturgy by Paul Cremo. Directed for TV by Barbara Willis Sweete; Music Producer was Jay David Saks; Supervising Producers were Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park; Producers were Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik. Sung in Italian. Released in 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
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Puccini La fanciulla del West opera to a libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini. Directed 2011 by Giancarlo del Monaco. Stars Deborah Voigt (Minnie), Lucio Gallo (Jack Rance), Marcello Giordani (Dick Johnson or Ramirrez), Tony Stevenson (Nick, the Bartender), Keith Miller (Ashby, the Wells Fargo Agent), Dwayne Croft (Sonora), Hugo Vera (Trin), Trevor Scheunemann (Sid), Richard Bernstein (Bello), Adam Laurence Herskowitz (Harry), Michael Forest (Joe), David Crawford (Happy), Edward Parks (Larkins), Philip Cokorinos (Billy Jackrabit), Ginger Costa-Jackson (Wowkle), Oren Gradus (Jake Wallace), Jeff Mattsey (José Castro), and Edward Mout (Pony Express Rider). Nicola Luisotti conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus (Chorus Master Donald Palumbo). Set and costume design by Michael Scott; lighting design by Gil Wechsler; musical preparation by Gildo di Nunzio, Donna Racik, Steven Eldredge, Joseph Colaneri, Carrie-Anne Matheson, and Milos Repicky; fight direction by B. H. Barry; assistant stage direction by Gregory Keller, Jonathon Loy, Louisa Muller, and Elena Sacconaghi-Marzoni; dramaturgy by Paul Cremo. Directed for TV by Barbara Willis Sweete; Music Producer was Jay David Saks; Supervising Producers were Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park; Producers were Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik. Released in 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound output. Grade: A-
La fanciulla del West had its world premiere at the Met in 1910 with Puccini in the audience and Toscanini conducting. In 2010, the Met celebrated the centenary of of the premiere by reviving a 1991 production from Giancarlo del Monaco with extremely beautiful traditional sets and costumes. This staging probably follows the original libretto and score as closely as current taste would allow. If you don't know the opera, this is the version to get first. It's easy to follow; after you have seen it several times, you will know the work well. Then you can better enjoy the updated version of La fanciulla from the Netherlands Opera, which gives you some different things to think about and is a hoot to boot. By the way, Lucio Gallo plays sheriff Jack Rance in both shows.
Here's an odd YT clip that's a series of "slides" about this production. Activate the CC button for commentary by Deborah Voigt:
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 and Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade. Andris Nelsons conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the 2011 Lucerne Festival. Solo pianist is Yefim Bronfman. This disc features the following selections:
Beethoven The Ruins of Athens Overture
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"
Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 8 in F major
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherzade
Dvorak Slavonic Dance No. 3
Directed for TV by Ute Feudel; Director of Photography was Nyika Jancsó; produced by Maria Stodtmeier (Accentus), Magdalena Herbst (Unitel), and Paul Smaczny (Accentus). Released 2012, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Shostakovich Symphony No. 8. Andris Nelsons conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the 2011 Lucerne Festival. The program is:
Richard Wagner Rienzi: Overture
Richard Strauss Salome: Dance of the Seven Veils
Dmitri Shosakovich Symphony No. 8
Directed for TV by Ute Feudel; Director of Photography was Nyika Jancsó; produced by Maria Stodtmeier (Accentus), Magdalena Herbst (Unitel), and Paul Smaczny (Accentus). Released 2012, disc has 5.1 dts HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA