Klassik und Oper 04

Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance

Shakespeare: Richard II [DVD]

Richard is King. A monarch ordained by God to lead his people. A man whose vanity threatens to divide the great houses of England and drag his people into a dynastic civil war that will last 100 years. R S C Artistic Director Gregory Doran directs David Tennant in the title role of ? a definitive production of a great play'. ( Daily Mail)

Press Reviews

" David Tennant is mesmerising in the first show of Gregory Doran's six-year plan to present all of Shakespeare's works. A beautifully crafted, richly detailed production. " ( The Guardian ? ? ? ? )

" Gregory Doran's exceptional production is a rousing triumph. " ( The Observer ? ? ? ? ? )

" David Tennant gives a bravado performance of a multi-layered, complex and intelligent medieval king in Shakespeare's masterful history play. Gregory Doran's production is superbly orchestrated. This is a lucid, moving production packed with tremendous performances. From Michael Pennington's John of Gaunt, the last great Englishman, to Oliver Ford Davies's wonderfully bewildered Duke of York. " ( The Daily Express ? ? ? ? ? )

" One of the hottest tickets of the year. " ( The Times)

" A lucid and gripping account of Richard I I. David Tennant is in splendid form here. In his gorgeous, gold-embroidered robes, this Richard is wrapped in the mystique of medieval majesty. There isn't a weak link in the cast. Ferocious eloquence overcomes deathbed infirmity in Michael Pennington's superb portrayal of John of Gaunt, and Oliver Ford Davies gives a fine edge of grumpy comedy to the Duke of York's conscience-stricken dithering. " ( The Independent)

" David Tennant delivers a vivid, intelligent performance in Gregory Doran's clear, detailed and dynamic production. One of the year's hottest tickets. Oliver Ford Davies's Duke of York is an unalloyed delight. " ( The Evening Standard)

" Michael Pennington is little short of magnificent as John of Gaunt. " ( The Daily Telegraph)

" Nigel Lindsay's Bolingbroke is a palpably dangerous figure? Jane Lapotaire turns the Duchess of Gloucester into a silver-haired figure whose widowed grief manifests itself in a burning appetite for revenge. " ( The Guardian)

" A fine, restrained Michael Pennington gives desperate dignity to John of Gaunt's lush - sceptred isle and silver sea - lament for England. Emma Hamilton brings a lovely grace to the small, beguiling part of Richard's wife. As the Duke of York, Oliver Ford Davies is radiantly authentic. He delivers many speeches as if he were quietly arguing with himself and the audience were eavesdropping. When he erupts into violent confrontation he is shattering. " ( The Observer)

Cast
David Tennant ( Richard I I)
Michael Pennington ( John of Gaunt)
Jane Lapotaire ( Duchess of Gloucester)
Oliver Ford Davies ( Duke of York)
Oliver Rix ( Aumerle)
Nigel Lindsay ( Bolingbroke)
Emma Hamilton ( The Queen)

Stage Director: Gregory Doran
Designer: Stephen Brimson Lewis

Catalogue Number: O A1142 D
Date of Performance: 2013
Running Time: 162 mins minutes
Sound: 24 bit L P C M / 5. 1 D T S Master Audio H D
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: E N/ F R/ D E
Label: Opus Arte

Donizetti, Gaetano - Lucia di Lammermoor [2 DVDs]

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus - Don Giovanni [2 DVDs]

Humperdinck, Engelbert - Königskinder [2 DVDs]

Ingo Metzmacher

Verdi - Don Carlo [Blu-ray]

Ein Höhepunkt der Salzburger Festspiele 2013 war im Verdi Jahr die gefeierte Aufführung von Verdis Oper Don Carlo unter der Regie von Peter Stein in Spitzenbesetzung: mit Jonas Kaufmann und Anja Harteros, dem Traumpaar der Oper, mit Thomas Hampson und Matti Salminen. Neben der interessanten Regie von Peter Stein war es vor allem die musikalische Darbietung, die das Publikum begeisterte: Die Wiener Philharmoniker fanden unter der Leitung von Antonio Pappano immer die richtige Klangsprache, und die Sänger spielten und sangen fabelhaft. " Jonas Kaufmann und Anja Harteros brachten eine Intensität in die beiden Hauptrollen, wie man sie seit Generationen nicht mehr hatte" ( Telegraph)" eine Elite-Besetzung. . . , Kaufmann ist in jeder Phrase. . ein Tenorprinz von Gnaden und die Königin des Abends ist Anja Harteros ( F A Z)" Verdis " Don Carlo", die Luxus-Produktion dieses Sommers, in exzellenter Besetzung" ( Kurier. at, Aug 13)" Für den Triumph ist aber auch Dirigent Antonio Pappano im Verein mit den Wiener Philharmonikern wesentlich zuständig" ( Kurier. at, Aug 13) " With Antonio Pappano in the pit, Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros brought to their interpretations of the leading roles rapturous arcs of phrasing and refulgence of tone that we have not heard for a generation. Verdi's music can weather mediocrity and still provide audiences with enjoyment" ( The Telegraph) " This dream cast gathers one of the most sought-after tenors of the moment, Jonas Kaufmann, and the best Verdian singers on the operatic scene" ( Medici, Aug 13)

The Original Three Tenors Concert. The World No.1 Classical Bestseller

Zubin Mehta

Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (8 DVDs)

Pierre Boulez

Korngold: Die tote Stadt (Finnish National Opera, 2010)

Die tote Stadt may be better known for the lushly orchestrated lyricism of its music, but the psychological acuity of its exploration of grief and memory is no less impressive from a composer who was still 23 when no less than Otto Klemperer conducted the premiere in  Cologne in 1920. Korngold's gift for a tune ensured that his star has hardly waned since then, though the opera is rarely staged: Kasper  Holten's insightful and restrained production is a rare chance both to see and hear an opera of high emotional charge heightened by the dark cityscape of its title. A superb cast is led by Finnish National Opera's artistic director Mikko Franck, who is celebrated for his impassioned interpretations of Romantic opera.  

Press Reviews

". . . Kasper Holten's splendid production . . . " ( Opera)

" Korngold's music is marvellous throughout. Vogt . . . has, besides the required stamina, also the beauty of tone and the ringing top notes to allow him to ride over the orchestra. His youthful timbre and intelligent phrasing made him the most consummate Paul I have heard, whether live or on a recording. I hope some record company has grabbed the opportunity to record this production, since Vogt was not alone in vocal brilliance. Marietta's role is also enormously taxing, but Camilla Nylund sang it with the same assurance as Vogt, actually on a par with Katarina Dalayman's reading in Stockholm. Mikko Franck, Artistic Director and General Music Director of the Finnish National Opera, is a charismatic conductor and there was an extraordinary glow to the orchestra. With analytic clarity, he laid bare every strand of Korngold's masterly orchestral colours. I regard Die tote Stadt as one of the greatest operas of the first quarter of the 20th century and the Finnish National Opera's production makes it stand out as a true masterpiece, scenically and musically. " ( Seen and Heard International)

" Holten's surreal evocation of Bruges, the dead city of the title, is wonderfully creepy . . . Klaus Florian Vogt excels as the wild-eyed, obsessive Paul, desperately trying to make over Camilla Nylund's slutty Marietta in saintly Marie's image. Mikko Franck's conducting is to die for. " ( The Guardian ììììì)

Cast
Klaus Florian Vogt ( Paul)
Camilla Nylund ( Marietta)
Markus Eiche ( Frank / Fritz)
Sari Nordqvist ( Brigitta)
Kaisa Ranta ( Juliette)
Melis Jaatinen ( Lucienne)
Per-Håkan Precht ( Victorin)
Juha Riihimäki ( Count Albert)

Finnish National Opera Chorus, Children's Chorus and Orchestra; Mikko Franck

Stage Director: Kasper Holten
Television Director: Hannu Kamppila
Choreographer: Signe Fabricius

Catalogue Number: O A1121 D
Date of Performance: 2010
Running Time: 150 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: E N; F R; D E; J P; K R
Label: Opus Arte

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [DVD] (The Royal Opera House)

Lewis Carroll's ever-popular story provides the basis for Christopher Wheeldon's spectacular new work, starring Royal Ballet Principal Lauren Cuthbertson. Captivating designs by Bob Crowley, an engaging and passionate score by Joby Talbot, and Wheeldon's breathtaking choreography combine to produce in the words of The Times "spectacular family entertainment brought to life with enormous theatrical verve. "

Press Reviews

" What a treat this is - such an imaginative treatment of a favourite story. There are extraordinary, eccentric sets and special effects; colourful, larger-than-life, argumentative characters and extraordinary costumes. Lauren Cuthbertson, as Alice, is excellent, her every movement suggesting the actions and emotions of this curious, spirited pre-adolescent. . . Christopher Wheeldon's choreography is very imaginative and fitting for every character. " ( Musicweb International)

Cast
Lauren Cuthbertson ( Alice)
Sergei Polunin ( Jack / The Knave of Hearts)
Edward Watson ( Lewis Carroll/ The White Rabbit)
Zenaida Yanowsky ( Mother / The Queen of Hearts)
Steven Macrae ( Mad Hatter)

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Barry Wordsworth

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Catalogue Number: O A1056 D
Date of Performance: 2011
Running Time: 120 minutes
Sound: 2. 0 L P C M + 5. 1(5. 0) D T S
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: E N, F R, D E, E S
Label: Opus Arte