Videos
Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex (Dynamic)
A decent concert performance of Stravinsky’s great work, with a rarity to precede it [SB]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Deutsche Grammophon)
(In Memoriam Déjà Review) Forget the limitations of this early video transcript and glory in Puccini’s music and the committed acting and singing [RJF]
A Beethoven Concert (Arthaus Musik)
(Déjà Review) Subtle direction of the camera work adds to the very fine performances [SF]
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) An unusual and challenging interpretation with exceptional performances by the two leads [AO]
Verdi: Don Carlo (C Major)
A splendid memento of a magnificent production, despite too many cuts having been inflicted on the score [MP]
Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)
A very good way to discover the attractions of Mascagni’s second opera [RWe]
Bizet: Carmen (DG)
(Déjà Review) A great evening at the opera, crowned by Grace Bumbry’s great performance of Carmen [CH]
Springtime in Amsterdam (Naxos)
An enjoyable and intriguing film that’s well worth seeking out [RMay]
Bach’s Missing Pages (Fugue State Films)
A remarkable achievement [SG]
La Divina Maria Callas in all her roles (Warner Classics)
A magnificent and comprehensive testament to the supremacy of the greatest singing actress of the 20C [RMo]
Offenbach: La Périchole (Naxos)
A benchmark production of Offenbach’s opéra bouffe, subtle yet full of colour [RW]
Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos (Dynamic)
A modern-dress production that plays it pretty straight, and a very strong singing team [ST]
Schubert: Eine Winterreise (Naxos)
Musically excellent and dramatically intriguing re-imagining of Schubert’s story [RWe]
The State Opera (Naxos)
Missed opportunities in a sporadically interesting film [LD]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 (ICA Classics)
(Déjà Review) Leinsdorf belatedly enters the select list of the greatest Tchaikovsky performances on record [CH]
Giordano: Siberia (C Major)
Bregenz gives Giordano’s tragic tale a contemporary twist [RMay]
Bellini: Bianca e Fernando (Dynamic)
A first video release of Bellini’s early work features some attractive singing and an elegant, if quirky, production [MP]
Bruckner: Symphonies 3 & 6 (Unitel Editions)
Today’s pre-eminent Bruckner conductor conducts the essential Bruckner orchestra in superb live accounts of two of the more elusive symphonies [RWe]
Handel: Semele (Opus Arte)
A modern take on a Handelian opera which for once makes dramatic sense, and is good fun as well [PCG]
Adès: The Dante Project (Opus Arte)
A triumphantly achieved Royal Ballet production can now be watched at home [RMay]
Tchaikovsky: Iolanta/Stravinky: Mavra (Bayerische Staatsoper)
A marriage made in hell does no favours to either partner – perhaps we might hope for a divorce? [PCG]
John Cranko (choreography): The Taming of the Shrew (Unitel Editions)
Stuttgart Ballet’s survey of choreographer John Cranko’s work continues triumphantly [RMay]
Camilla Nylund (soprano) The Great American Songbook (Naxos)
Fine selections from The Great American Songbook [BMC]
Verdi: Rigoletto (Opus Arte)
An imaginative and involving production, but flawed by some intrusive and insensitive vulgarities [PCG]
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