An unusual multimedia piece dealing with the Prometheus legend that, in spite of a top-notch orchestra and conductor, fails to cohere into a satisfying watch
Bellini: I Capuleti e I Montecchi [San Francisco Opera/Frizza] Blu-ray Review
A Blu-ray premiere of a Bellini rarity that gets the star treatment that surmounts its minimalist staging.
Kern & Hammerstein: Show Boat [San Francisco Opera/DeMain] Blu-ray Review
This San Francisco Opera revival of one of the all-time musical blockbusters is a smashing success with great performances and superior production values.
Dvorak: Rusalka [La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Fischer] Blu-ray Review
Rethought version of Dvorak classic worth watching for Myrto Papatanasiu’s riveting portrayal of the title character.
Stravinsky: The Firebird [National Ballet of Canada/Gergiev] Blu-ray Review
A new version of Stravinksy’s modern classic, The Firebird, aided by nifty special effects and terrific dancing.
Martha Argerich: Evening Talks Blu-ray Review
Piano virtuoso Martha Argerich shares her life and career with Georges Gachot in a series of intimate and probing interviews, interspersed with live performance excerpts.
Boito: Mefistofele [San Francisco Opera/Nicola Luisotti] Blu-ray Review
The revival of Robert Carsen’s 1989 San Francisco Opera production succeeds with a stellar cast and rises to the top of the Blu-ray list for this rarely performed opera.
Tchaikowsky: The Merchant of Venice [Wiener Syhmphoniker/Nielsen/Bregenzer Festpiele] Blu-ray Review
Merchant of Venice would have benefited from the revisions that Tchaikowsky would have made had he lived long enough to make them.
Spuck: Poppea // Poppea [Gauthier Dance] Blu-ray Review
A modernist interpretation of Monteverdi’s opera Poppea that is danced rather than sung with terrific dancers.
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg [Salzburg Festival/Gatti] Blu-ray Review
Director Herheim’s reinvention of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg sheds new light with this production, well conducted and well sung.