A revisionist Nutcracker that blends classical dance with hip-hop and martial arts.
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du Soldat [Nederlands Dans Theater/Kylian] Blu-ray Review
A short-running low-resolution film that fails to deliver the promise of Jiri Kylian’s original balletic adaptation of Stravinsky’s chamber work.
Country Roads: The Heartbeat of America Blu-ray Review
Country Roads: The Heartbeat of America is an introspective documentary on the country music scene by German director Marieke Schroeder that features new artists and recollections from some giants of the genre.
A Recital with Renée Fleming: Vienna at the Turn of the 20th Century Blu-ray Review
A triumphant return to the musical capital of central Europe, Renée Fleming gives us a superb lieder recital that is a standard bearer for the 21st century in this Arthaus Musik concert release.
Nyman: Make It Louder, Please! [Concert and Portrait] Blu-ray Review
Make it Louder, Please! is a dual-program disc that features a full-length concert by The Michael Nyman Band and a documentary on this leading contemporary composer’s life and career in the arts that is a fascinating watch.
Verdi: La Traviata [Arena di Verona] Blu-ray Review
In spite of a gripping performance of the title role from Ermanela Jaho, the rest of this production of La Traviata is somewhat of a disappointment in staging and supporting cast.
Gluck 300 Years: Alceste, Iphigenie en Tauride, and Orfeo ed Eurydice [Staatsoper Stuttgart, Zurich Opera, and Royal Opera Covent Garden] Blu-ray Review
A bargain box of three of Gluck’s operas gives us decent performances in standard definition video with lossy audio.
Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail [Camerata Salzburg/Graf] Blu-ray Review
Mozart’s comic opera receives a makeover in an airplane hangar with modern dress, plot adjustments, and uneven vocal performances.
Britten: Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach [Aldeburgh Festival] Blu-ray Review
This atmospheric and well staged version of Britten’s Peter Grimes goes to the top of the mast.
Weber: Hunter’s Bride [London Symphony Orchestra/Daniel Harding] Blu-ray Review
Weber’s most popular opera, Der Freischutz, gets a large scale cinematic treatment with superb singing and direction.
