Opus Arte

Plácido Domingo’s star turn in the title role of Verdi’s opera Simon Boccanegra won rave reviews from around the world, earlier this year. The stunning production, filmed live at the Royal Opera House, has now been released on DVD

The new opera season often brings with it something very exciting – new operas. Whether first works by up-and-coming stars or premieres from industry professionals, it is always interesting to witness the fledgling outings of a brand new work.

Photo © Catherine Ashmore

Placido Domingo is set to star in a very special production of Rigoletto – filmed on location in the streets of Mantua, Italy, and broadcast live on the BBC over two nights, September 4th and 5th.

This innovative approach to an opera that is 160 years old begs the question: what other opera productions have been tackled in ways either inspired or insane?

Photo © Neil Rickards

The First Night of the Proms is one of the most anticipated dates of the classical music season. This year, 76 concerts are taking place at the Royal Albert Hall, in addition to a series of Chamber Proms and matinee concerts at Cadogan Hall and a selection of special events before the season culminates in the famous Last Night and the Proms in the Park, in Hyde Park on September 11.

Photo © Catherine Ashmore

Plácido Domingo stars in the title role of Verdi’s opera Simon Boccanegra at the Royal Opera House this month (until 15 July). Domingo has often sung the tenor role of young revolutionary Gabriele Adorno in this opera (including for The Royal Opera in 1997). Now he is tackling the baritone role of political master and former corsair Simon Boccanegra, Doge of Genoa.

©Audrey and Patrick Scales, 2009

Sport and music go hand in the hand: the sense of anticipation before a big game starts is perfectly accompanied by a stirring number; an ‘80s movie training montage would be nothing without pumping synthetic beats alongside the Lycra, and who can say they don’t extract pleasure from watching our football players stumble over the words to the national anthem?