Blu-ray
A Britten Collection (Teatro alla Scala/ENO/Glyndebourne/The Royal Opera)
John Graham-Hall (Peter Grimes (Peter Grimes); Gustav von Aschenbach (Death in Venice)); Susan Gritton (Ellen Orford (Peter Grimes)); Sarah Connolly (Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia)); Christopher Maltman (Prince Tarquinius (The Rape of Lucretia)); John Mark-Ainsley (Captain Vere (Billy Budd)); Jacques Imbrailo (Billy Budd (Billy Budd)); Susan Bullock (Elisabeth I (Gloriana)); Toby Spence (Earl of Essex (Gloriana)); Andrew Shore (Voice of Dionysus (Death in Venice)); Tim Mead (Voice of Apollo (Death in Venice));
"Elder's unerring sense of theatre puts him absolutely at one with the stage in every episode. He's clearly the guiding spirit of this Billy Budd. The production has been directed with laudable unobtrusiveness by Michael Grandage...Video director Francois Rousillon does exceptional work here, with the precision of HD a constant pleasure. Opus Arte's recorded sound is superb." (International Record Review - Billy Budd)
Barber: Vanessa (Glyndebourne)
Emma Bell (Vanessa); Virginie Verrez (Erika); Edgaras Montvidas (Anatol); Rosalind Plowright (The Old Baroness); Donnie Ray Albert (The Old Doctor); Romanas Kudriašovas (Footman); William Thomas (Nicholas, the Major-Domo);
" ... this is intelligent music theatre that proves consistently gripping. Musically, it’s hugely impressive, too. Bell gives one of her finest performances to date, beautifully acted, her voice soaring with elation and anguish, even as Vanessa becomes increasingly deluded as to Anatol’s true nature. Montvidas is all seductive elegance, but his charm can turn to cynicism in a flash when his guard is down, and we fully understand why Verrez’s proud, sensual Erika finds him both so attractive and so suspicious. Plowright strikingly suggests a woman whose view of the present is haunted by the sadness of her own memories, while Albert convinces as a man who can mend men’s bodies, but singularly fails to understand their souls. Jakub Hrůša, conducting with tremendous passion, really opens the emotional floodgates, sweeping us away in the big set pieces, while the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s playing is at once sumptuous and superbly detailed." (The Guardian ★★★★)
Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict (Glyndebourne)
Stéphanie d’Oustrac (Béatrice); Paul Appleby (Bénédict); Sophie Karthäuser (Héro); Philippe Sly (Claudio); Lionel Lhote (Somarone); Frédéric Caton (Don Pedro); Katarina Bradić (Ursule);
"…delivered with sumptuous assurance..." (The Times)
Britten: Billy Budd (Glyndebourne)
John Mark Ainsley (Captain Vere); Jacques Imbrailo (Billy Budd); Philip Ens (Claggart);
"Elder's unerring sense of theatre puts him absolutely at one with the stage in every episode. He's clearly the guiding spirit of this Billy Budd. The production has been directed with laudable unobtrusiveness by Michael Grandage...Video director Francois Rousillon does exceptional work here, with the precision of HD a constant pleasure. Opus Arte's recorded sound is superb." (International Record Review)
Britten: The Rape of Lucretia (Glyndebourne)
Christine Rice (Lucretia); Allan Clayton (Male Chorus); Kate Royal (Female Chorus); Duncan Rock (Tarquinius); Matthew Rose (Collatinus); Michael Sumuel (Junius); Catherine Wyn-Rogers (Bianca); Louise Alder (Lucia);
"The Times" (This new production…possibly the most truthful --- you’re likely to see in some time.)
Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne - Arias & Duets
Bryn Terfel (Baritone); Cecilia Bartoli (Mezzo);
"... pinpoint vocal interplay and assured comic acting ... a formidable display of coloratura technique and laser-sharp intonation." (The Guardian)