BBruckner Symphony No. 7 & Wolf Lieder concert. In 2012 Christian Thielemann conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden at the Semperoper in Dresden. Renée Flemming is soprano soloist. The program includes:
Hugo Wolf songs: "Verborgenheit", "Er ist's", "Elfenlied", "Anakreon's Grab", and "Mignon" (Second Version)
Richard Strauss "Befreit"
Bruckner Symphony No. 7
Directed for TV by Henning Kasten. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreBruckner Symphony No. 5 concert. Part of the Bruckner Mature Symphonies series by Accentus. Daniel Barenboim conducts the Staatskapelle Berlin at the Philharmonie Berlin in 2010. Directed for TV by Tilo Krause; produced by Paul Smaczny. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreLa Bayadère ballet. Music by Ludwig Minkus orchestrated by John Lanchbery. Choreographed by Natalia Makarova after Marius Petipa. Recorded 2009 at the Royal Opera House. Stars Tamara Rojo (Nikiya), Carlos Acosta (Solor), Marianela Nuñez (Gamzatti, the Rajah's daughter) Gary Avis (The High Brahmin), Christopher Saunders (Rajah), Kenta Kura (Maghaveya, the Head Fakir), Genesia Rosato (Aya, Gamzatti's servant), Valeri Hristov (Solor's friend), and José Martin (The Bronze Idol). Tara-Brigitte Bhavnani, Francesca Filpi, and other artists of the Royal Ballet are the D'Jampe Dancers. Other dancers are Yuhui Choe, Iohna Loots, Emma Maguire, Samantha Raine, Helen Crawford, Nathalie Harrison, Hikaru Kobayashi, Laura McCullough, Johannes Stepanek, and Lauren Cuthbertson. Valeriy Ovsyanikov conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (concert masters are Peter Manning and Peter Schulmeister). Set designs by Pier Luigi Samaritani; costumes by Yolanda Sonnabend; lighting by John B. Read; revival staging by Olga Evreinoff; ballet master was Christopher Saunders; ballet mistress was Ursula Hageli; principal coaching by Alexander Agadzhanov and Olga Evreinoff; dance notator was Anna Trevien; film direction by Ross MacGibbon; film produced by Ferenc van Damme. Released 2011, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: A
Read MoreAlan Berg Lulu opera to libretto by the composer (3-act version completed by Friedrich Cerha in 1979). Directed 2010 by Vera Nemirova at the Salzburg Festival (Haus für Mozart). Stars Patricia Petibon, Michael Volle, Thomas Piffka, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Cora Burggraaf, Pavol Breslik, Franz Grundheber, Thomas Johannes Mayer, Heinz Zednik, Andreas Conrad, Martin Tzonev, Emilie Pictet, and Cornelia Wulkopf. Marc Albrecht conducts the Vienna Philharmonic. Sets by Daniel Richter; costumes by Klaus Noack; lighting design by Manfried Voss; dramatic advisory by Sonja Nemirova and Jens Schroth; video direction by Brian Large.
This is the same recording as a Kultur Lulu released for Region A only. This Euroarts release is for Regions B and C; on the package, it calls this "Region Code 2-6 (worldwide excl. USA & Canada)." So it seems that Kultur and EuroArts have a contract dividing up the world into two markets for this title. But when I put the EuroArts disc in my Region A Oppo 93, it plays fine! Zoltan Glied also confirmed this on two Region A players. EuroArts is known for shabby quality control; this time the sloppiness works in the customer's favor.
Released 2012, this version has a decent keep case booklet, whereas the Kultur version has none. Also the EuroArts disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound, whereas the Kultur version has only Dolby 5.0 sound. Finally, the EuroArts disc has German subtitles, but the Kultur does not. Because of the better sound spec, the nice presentation, and the better subtitles, I grade this version "A" and give a "B" to the Kultur disc. But caution: one of these days EuroArts may change the disc to block Region A players. Grade: A
Read MoreBerg Lulu opera to a libretto by the composer. Directed 2009 by Christof Loy at Royal Opera House. Stars Agneta Eichenholz (Lulu), Michael Volle (Dr. Schön/Jack the Ripper), Klaus Florian Vogt (Alwa), Jennifer Larmore (Countess Geschwitz), Gwynne Howell (Schigolch), Peter Rose (Animal Trainer/Athlete), Philip Langridge (Prince/Manservant/Marquis), Heather Shipp (Dresser/Schoolboy/Groom), Will Hartman (Painter/Policeman/Negro), Jeremy White (Professor of Medicine/Theater Manager/Banker/Professor), Kostas Smoriginas (Journalist), Vuyani Mlinde (Manservant), Monika-Evelin Liiv (Gallery Owner), Frances McCafferty (Mother), and Simona Mihai (15-year-old Girl). Antonio Pappano conducts The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (concert master Peter Manning). Designs by Herbert Murauer; costumes by Eva-Mareike Uhlig; lighting by Reinhard Traub; movement direction by Thomas Wilhelm; music produced by David Groves; film direction by Robin Lough. Released 2010, disc has 5.1 dts Master Audio sound. Grade: C+
Read MoreThe Opera Gala recital concert. Anna Netrebko (soprano), Elīna Garanča (mezzo-soprano), Ramón Vargas (tenor), and Lodovic Tézier (baritone) sing opera favorites for the 2007 Gala Concert at the Baden-Baden Festival. Here's the program:
1. Bellini "Sinfonia" from Norma
2. Bellini "Mira, o Norma" from Norma
3. Donizetti "Una furtiva lagrima" from L'elisir d'amore
4. Bellini "Or dove fuggo io mai?--Ah! per sempre io ti perdei--Bel sogno beato" from I Puritani
5. Bellini "Casta Diva--Ah, bello a me ritorna" from Norma
6. Rossini "Nacqui all'affanno e al pianto" from La Cenerentola
7. Verdi "È lui!...Desso!...L'Infante! from Don Carlo
8. Saint-Saëns "Bacchanale" from Samson et Dalila
9. Delibes "Viens, Mallika--Dôme epais, le jasmin" from Lakmé
19. Bizet "Au fond du temple saint" from Les Pêcheurs de perles
11. Saint-Saëns "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" from Samson et Dalila
12. Verdi "Oh! fede nocgar potessi-Quanda le sere al placido" from Luisa Miller
13. Verdi "Felice ancor io son" (Morte di Rodrigo) from Don Carlo
14. Puccini "O soave fanciulla" from La Bohème
15. Verdi "Un di, se ben rammentomi" from Rigoletto
16. Lehár "Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß" from Giuditta
17. Rossini "La danza"
18. Ruperto Chapí "Al pensar en el dueño de mis amores" from Las hijas del Zebedeo
19. Bizet "Toreador Song" from Carmen
20. Verdi "Brindisi" or "The Toast" from La Traviata
Marco Armiliato conducts the SWR (Südwestrundfunk) Sinfonieorchester of Baden-Baden und Freiburg. Released 2008, disc has 5.1 PCM and 5.1 dts-HD sound. Grade: A-
Read MoreRomeo and Juliet ballet. Music by Sergei Prokofiev. Libretto by Leonid Lavrovsky and Sergei Prokofiev. Staged 2009 by Monika Mason at the Royal Opera House based on original choreography by Leonid Lavrovsky as later revised by Kenneth McMillian. Stars Tamara Rojo (Juliet), Carlos Acosta (Romeo), José Martín (Mercutio), Thiago Soares (Tybalt), Yohei Sasaki (Benvolio), David Pickering (Paris), Christopher Saunders (Lord Capulet), Elizabeth McGorian (Lady Capulot), Laura Morera (Head Harlot), Sian Murphy (Junior Harlot), Isabel McMeekan (junior Harlot), Gary Avis (Escalus, Prince of Verona), Christina Arestis (Rosaline), Sandra Conley (Nurse), Alastair Marriott (Friar Laurence/Lord Montague), and Francesca Filpi (Lady Montague). Boris Gruzin conducts the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Designs by Nicholas Georgiadis; lighting by John B. Read; directed for TV by Ross MacGibbon; produced by Francesca Kemp. Released 2009, disc has 5.1 dts-HD sound. Grade: A+
Read MoreRomeo and Juliet ballet. Music by Sergei Prokofiev. Libretto by Leonid Lavrovsky and Sergei Prokofiev. Staged 2012 at the Royal Opera House based on choreography by Kenneth MacMillian. Stars Lauren Cuthbertson (Juliet), Federico Bonelli (Romeo), Alexander Campbell (Mercutio), Bennet Gartside (Tybalt), Dawid Trzensimiech (Benvolio), Valeri Hristov (Paris), Christopher Saunders (Lord Capulet), Christina Arestis (Lady Capulet), Gary Avis (Escalus, Prince of Verona), Tara-Brigitte Bhavnani (Rosaline), Kristen McNally (Nurse), Christopher Newton (Friar Laurence/Lord Montague), Sian Murphy (Lady Montague), Leanne Cope, Elsa Godard, Elisabeth Harrod, Emma Mcguire, Romany Pajdak, Sabina Westcombe (Juliet's Friends), Itziar Mendizabal, Laura McCulloch, Samantha Raine (Three Harlots), James Hay, Paul Kay, Ludovic Ondiviela, Andrej Uspenski, James Wilkie, Valentino Zucchetti (Mandolin Dance). Barry Wordsworth conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Lighting design by John B. Read; staging by Monica Mason and Christopher Saunders; Ballet Master Christopher Saunders; Ballet Mistress Ursala Hageli; coaching by Lesley Collier and Jonathan Cope; directed for film by Ross MacGibbon. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD sound. Grade: B+
Read MoreStravinsky Firebird & Rite of Spring and Debussy L'Apres-midi d'un faune concert. Paavo Järvi conducts the Orchestra of Paris (Concert Master Philippe Aïche) in 2012 at Salle Playel in Paris. TV directors were Sébastian Glas and Corentin Leconte; produced by Sabrina Iwanski. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
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Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 and Richard Strauss Ein Heldenleben concert. In 2011 Mariss Jansons conducts the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Radio Bavaria Symphony Orchestra) at the Munich Philharmonie im Gesteig (Gesteig Symphony Hall). Mitsuko Uchida is piano soloist. Anton Barachovsky is violin soloist in the Ein Heldenleben. Directed for video by Brian Large. Released 2013, disc has 5.0 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Verdi I vespri siciliani opera to a libretto of Augustin Eugène Scribe and Charles Duveyrier translated by Arnaldo Fusinato. (This is the Italian version of the French Les Vêpres Siciliennes.) Directed 2010 by Pier Luigi Pizzi at Teatro Regio di Parma Verdi Festival. Stars Leo Nucci (Guido di Monforte), Dario Russo (Il Sire di Bethune), Andrea Mastroni (Il Conte Vaudemont), Fabio Armiliato (Arrigo), Giacomo Prestia (Giovanni da Procida), Daniela Dessì (La Duchessa Elena), Adriana Di Paola (Ninetta), Raoul D'Eramo (Danieli), Roberto Jachini Virgili (Tebaldo), and Alessandro Battiato (Roberto). Massimo Zanetti conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Regio di Parma (Chorus Master Martino Faggiani). Set and costume design by Pier Luigi Pizzi; choreography by Roderto Maria Pizzuto; lighting design by Vincenzo Raponi. Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Sung in Italian. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreVerdi Simon Boccanegra opera to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and later revised by Arrigo Boito. Directed 2010 by Giorgio Gallione at the Teatro Regio di Parma Verdi Festival (with Marina Bianchi as stage director). Stars Leo Nucci (Simon Boccanegra), Roberto Scandiuzzi (Jacopo Fiesco), Simone Piazzola (Paolo Albiani), Paolo Pecchioli (Pietro), Tamar Iveri (Amelia (Maria Boccanegra)), Francesco Meli (Gabriele Adorno), Luca Casalin (Un Capitano dei Balestrieri), and Olena Kharachko (Ancella D’Amelia). Andrea Battistoni conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Regio di Parma (Chorus Master Martino Faggiani); set and costume design by Guido Fiorato; lighting design by Bruno Ciulli. Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Sung in Italian. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: B+
Once again we have full-throttle Italian opera: it appears that nearly every credited artist in this production is Italian. In fact, this is the same Giorgio Gallione production that was recorded in 2007 at Teatro Comunale di Bolgona, published by Arthaus in Blu-ray, and was reviewed here earlier. So here Gallione had about 3 years to make improvements. The cast is all new with Nucci as a superstar addition. The set and costumes are the same, but with small improvements that add polish. The new stage director, Marina Bianchi, spiffed up personal direction and acting considerably. And this time around we have tried-and-true Tiziano Mancini framing the video file . . .
Read MoreGiuseppe Scarlatti Dove è amore è gelosia opera to a libretto by Marco Coltellini. (Where There is Love There is Jealosy.) Directed 2011 by Ondřej Havelka at the Český Krumlov Theater where it was first performed in 1768. Stars Lenka Máčiková (Marquise Clarice), Aleš Briscein (Count Orazio), Kateřina Kněžiková (Vespetta) , Jaroslav Březina (Patlrizio), Bohumil Kiepl (Servant), and Tatána Kupcová (Marquise). Vojtěch Spurný conducts the Schwarzenberg Court Orchestra. Costume Designer-Jana Zbořilová; Music Director-Sylva Smejkalová; Sound Engineer-Jan Kotzman; Director of Photography-Jan Malíř; Producer-Jiří Hubač. There is also a valuable documentary about the history of the Český Krumlov Theater and staging of the revived opera. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: A+
Read MorePergolesi Lo frate 'nnamorato opera to a libretto by Gennarantonio Federico. Directed 2011 by Willy Landin at the Teatro G.B. Pergolesi in Jesi as part of the Pergolesi Spontini Festival. Stars Nicola Alaimo, Elena Belfiore, Patrizia Biccirè, Jurigta Adamonyte, Barbara di Castri, David Alegret, Laura Cherici, Rosa Bove, and Filippo Morace. Fabio Biondi conducts the Europa Galante orchestra. Costumes by Elena Cicorella; lighting by Fabrizio Gobbi; directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreVerdi Atilla opera to a libretto by Temistocle Solera. Directed 2010 by Arturo Gama at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Stars Ildar Abdrazakov (Attila), Vladislav Sulimsky (Ezio), Anna Markarova (Odabella), Sergei Skorokhodov (Foresto), Mikhail Makarov (Uldino), and Timur Abdikeyev (Leone). Valery Gergiev conducts the Mariinsky Orchestra. Production designs by Frank Phillip Schlössmann; costumes by Frank Phillip Schlössmann and Hanne Loosen; lighting by Evgeny Ganzburg; video direction by Matthias Leutzendorff. Released 2013, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
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