A thoroughly reinvented Trovatore on a postage-stamp stage and harlequin costumes that features vocal luminaries Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo.
Borodin: Prince Igor [Metropolitan Opera/Noseda] Blu-ray Review
A massive production that emphasizes the surreal aspect of Borodin’s flawed masterpiece, delivered to the viewers as only the Metropolitan Opera can do.
Anna Netrebko: Live from the Salzburg Festival Blu-ray Review
While not the first choices for any of these three operas, Netrebko fans will enjoy watching this consummate artist at work with excellent supporting casts.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 [Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan] Blu-ray Audio Review
This a Beethoven Ninth Symphony for the ages that has been given new life through high resolution remastering.
Credo: Hélène Grimaud [Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir/Esa-Pekka Salonen] Blu-ray Audio Review
Hélène Grimaud has crafted an eclectic program that straddles two centuries, three composers, and some brilliant playing.
Beethoven: Symphonies No. 5 and 7 [Wiener Philharmoniker/Kleiber] Blu-ray Audio Review
This hi-res Blu-ray Audio of Carlos Kleiber’s historic recordings will give newcomers an unprecedented insight into Beethoven’s imagination
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty — A Gothic Romance [Bourne/The Sleeping Beauty Orchestra] Blu-ray Review
Matthew Bourne gives us a serious makeover of Tchaikovsky’s classic, complete with vampires, special effects, and eye-catching choreography
Rossini: La Cenerentola [Metropolitan Opera] Blu-ray Review
A truly enjoyable, lighthearted rendering of the Cinderella fairytale, this recent Metropolitan Opera production pulls out all of its vocal stops and then some. Humdrum sets aside, the performance values carry the day and ensure much viewing pleasure, beginning with the drop-dead gorgeous star, mezzo-soprano, Elina Garanča.
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor [Metropolitan Opera] Blu-ray Review
The Metropolitan Opera gives us a “Live in HD” broadcast Blu-ray of Donizetti’s masterpiece. Some strange stage business aside, there is plenty of strong singing and music-making going on, certainly enough to recommend this one to all opera-lovers.
