Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a distinguished cast including Danielle de Niese and Charles Workman in Wayne McGregor's new production of Handel's opera in which The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet appear in a rare and beautifully crafted collaboration. Filmed with High Definition cameras and recorded in true surround sound.

Galatea, a nymph and demi-goddess: Danielle de Niese
Acis, a shepherd: Charles Workman
Damon, a shepherd: Paul Agnew
Polyphemus, a giant: Matthew Rose
Coridon, a shepherd: Ji-Min Park

Dancers of The Royal Ballet:
Galatea: Lauren Cuthbertson
Acis: Edward Watson
Damon: Steven McRae
Polyphemus: Eric Underwood
Coridon: Paul Kay

The Royal Opera Extra Chorus
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Conductor: Christopher Hogwood
Director: Wayne McGregor

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on 8th April 2009.

Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a distinguished cast including Danielle de Niese and Charles Workman in Wayne McGregor's new production of Handel's opera in which The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet appear in a rare and beautifully crafted collaboration.  Filmed with High Definition cameras and recorded in true surround sound.

Galatea, a nymph and demi-goddess: Danielle de Niese
Acis, a shepherd: Charles Workman
Damon, a shepherd: Paul Agnew
Polyphemus, a giant: Matthew Rose
Coridon, a shepherd: Ji-Min Park

Dancers of The Royal Ballet:
Galatea: Lauren Cuthbertson
Acis: Edward Watson
Damon: Steven McRae
Polyphemus: Eric Underwood
Coridon: Paul Kay

The Royal Opera Extra Chorus
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Conductor: Christopher Hogwood
Director: Wayne McGregor

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on 8th April 2009.

Edward Watson takes the role of Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's compelling ballet which lives out the final eight years of Rudolf’s life with its relentless downward spiral of political intrigue, drugs and murder. It culminates with the suicide pact at the hunting lodge - known as Mayerling - between Rudolf and his 17-year-old mistress, Mary Vetsera (Mara Galeazzi). Filmed in high definition and recorded in true surround sound.

Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary: Edward Watson
Baroness Mary Vetsera: Mara Galeazzi
Princess Stephanie: Iohna Loots
Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary: William Tuckett
Empress Elisabeth: Cindy Jourdain
Countess Marie Larisch: Sarah Lamb
Baroness Helene Vetsera: Elizabeth McGorian

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor: Barry Wordsworth
Choreographer: Kenneth MacMillan

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, October 2009.

Edward Watson takes the role of Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's compelling ballet which lives out the final eight years of Rudolf’s life with its relentless downward spiral of political intrigue, drugs and murder. It culminates with the suicide pact at the hunting lodge - known as Mayerling - between Rudolf and his 17-year-old mistress, Mary Vetsera (Mara Galeazzi). Filmed in high definition and recorded in true surround sound.

Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary: Edward Watson
Baroness Mary Vetsera: Mara Galeazzi
Princess Stephanie: Iohna Loots
Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary: William Tuckett
Empress Elisabeth: Cindy Jourdain
Countess Marie Larisch: Sarah Lamb
Baroness Helene Vetsera: Elizabeth McGorian

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor: Barry Wordsworth
Choreographer: Kenneth MacMillan

Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, October 2009.

Translucence, transparency – warmth’ are the qualities identified by Bernard Haitink as necessary for an ideal sound performance of Beethoven’s only opera, and all are present in this fantastic recording of Katharina Thalbach’s new production for Opernhaus Zurich. Haitink conducts the Zurich Opera Orchestra in a magnificent performance in which Leonore Overture No. 3 provides an interlude between the two scenes of the second act, following a tradition started by Gustav Mahler. German soprano Melanie Diener, in the role of Leonore, leads a brilliant cast including Alfred Muff as Rocco, Roberto Saccà as Florestan, Sandra Trattnigg as Marzelline and Christoph Strehl as Jaquino. This High Definition recording with true surround sound marks the start of an exciting new collaboration between Opus Arte and Opernhaus Zurich.

Don Fernando: Krešimir Stražanac
Don Pizarro: Lucio Gallo
Florestan: Roberto Saccà
Leonore: Melanie Diener
Rocco: Alfred Muff
Marzelline: Sandra Trattnigg
Jaquino: Christoph Strehl
First Prisoner: Bogusław Bidziński
Second Prisoner: Morgan Moody

Zurich Opera Orchestra
Zurich Opera Chorus
Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Director: Katharina Thalbach

Recorded live at the Zurich Opera House, Germany, in October 2008.