Svätopluk(2024)

The Opera! Arias for an Eclipse(it)

A sudden gunshot shatters the dream of two lovers on their wedding day. The fate of Orpheus and Eurydice is cruel: on the very day they sought to seal their love, EurydiceΆs soul embarks on its journey to the underworld. Heartbroken, Orpheus embarks on a perilous journey to bring his beloved back from Hades. A journey that will lead the fearless hero to confront the depths of his emotions and face his greatest fears. This journey will take him through strange worlds and into encounters with some of the greatest musical pieces and arias in the history of music. Will love triumph over death?

Elektra(fr)

Last production staged by Patrice Chéreau, this Elektra will remain as the main and most striking lyrical event of these last years in Aix-en-Provence. This production is leaded by three amazing singers: the German soprano Evelyn Herlitzius gave a tremendous, never-to-be-forgotten account of the title role, Waltraud Meier portrays a human and chilling Clytemnestra and Adrianne Pieczonka is a fantastic Chrysothemis. Everyone's loneliness and intimate struggles are Patrice Chéreau's favorites theatrical themes. With Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Orchestre de Paris, this production of Elektra becomes an unforgettable experience.

Easter(en)

Easter is a five story-arc opera about the coming-of-age of juking. The first of its tales aptly deals with contemporary civil unrest with foci on the interrelationships between law enforcement in communities it serves, and corruption within the justice system as a whole. It unfolds from the perspective of an African-American male who feels circumstantially slighted by society, and because of that, takes the law into his own hands and goes on a rampage which erupts into a war in the process.

Orlando Paladino(it)

In the Summer of 2009, the British director Nigel Lowery and the Iranian choreographer Amir Hosseinpour brought to the stage of the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden, with colour and full of humour, the fantastic and imaginative adventures of "Racing Roland". On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn, the composer's most renowned opera during his lifetime,Orlando Paladino, was performed, a heroic-comical stage piece based on Ariost's famous Versepos. Singers such as Marlis Petersen (Angelica), Tom Randle (Orlando), Alexandrina Pendatchanska (Alcina), Pietro Spagnoli (Rodomonte), Sunhae Im (Eurilla) and Victor Torres (Pasquale) performed under the musical direction of period-music specialist René Jacobs. The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra completed this high-class production giving the music a beautiful sound and lively swing.

Fantasy(en)

What happens when an earth-splitting disaster destroys the home world of a lone living skeleton? As long as he has his most valuable treasure, he doesn't worry about anything else. But can he hold onto his treasure in such a cataclysm?

Berlioz: Les Troyens(fr)

This epic opera follows Virgil, beginning as the Greeks appear to have ceded the field after ten years of the Trojan War. Cassandra tries to warn of the terrible fate to come, but fate is set and Troy falls. The first two acts cover this tragic end, then the flight of survivors to Carthage and events at Carthage continue in acts 3 - 5, culminating in the further voyage for Italy and Rome. This is Virgil's classic epic, in operatic form, in about a three and a half hour performance from French Opera.

The Fiery Angel(it)

Sergey Prokofiev's operatic tragedy The Fiery Angel was never performed in the composers lifetime the musics brittle energy, drama and eloquent lyrical tenderness would re-emerge in his Third Symphony. The narrative focuses relentlessly on Renata, who is haunted by an angel who turns out to be the devil. Director Emma Dante describes the opera as an explosive mix of fantastical realism and endless confusion of nightmares, madness, sexual impulses and cultural clashes, and this Teatro dellOpera di Roma production was acclaimed as a presentation of Prokofievs masterpiece which sparkles in all its grotesque glory (operawire.com)

Jonas Kaufmann – Mein Wien(de)

Jonas Kaufmann's very personal tribute to the city's famous music. We see the star tenor on the move in Vienna, visiting his favorite places, from the Ferris wheel to the sausage stand. The centerpiece of the more than 100-minute documentary is the acclaimed concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus, where Jonas Kaufmann, accompanied by the Prague Philharmonic under the direction of Jochen Rieder, sang world-famous melodies from Viennese operettas and famous Viennese songs. The Viennese audience was enthusiastic, and the reviews for the concert were glowing. Interspersed with the music from the concert, we experience Jonas Kaufmann at his favorite places in Vienna, in front of the Konzerthaus, at the Naschmarkt, and in the Vienna Cemetery – sharing interesting facts and stories about Viennese music. "My Vienna" is an atmospheric declaration of love, a personal documentary full of music and stories that touch the heart and put you in a good mood.

Tannhäuser and the Singers' Contest at Wartburg Castle(en)

TANNHÄUSER UND DER SÄNGERKRIEG AUF WARTBURG is a grand opera by Richard Wagner in three acts. After experiencing boundless sensuality and freedom with the fun-loving Venus (soprano), the singer Tannhäuser (Tenor) finds it impossible to conform to the cultured setting of his betrothed Elizabeth (soprano), who loves him. During a singing contest, Tannhäuser describes the affair with Venus as the ultimate love experience and because of that, he is cast out from the established society. Thanks to Elizabeth's intervention, he is allowed to undertake a pilgrimage to the Pope to ask for the Holy Father's pardon. If the Pope accepts to forgive him, he would be allowed to take back his place in society. Tannhäuser accepts. But fate will not allow him to meet with his beloved Elizabeth again in this life. This is a recording of the legendary staging by Götz Friedrich for the 1978 Bayreuth Festival conducted by Sir Colin Davis.

Der Freischütz(de)

The legendary director Ruth Berghaus created this staging of Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischütz as a gripping theatrical experience for the Zurich Opera in 1993. Its revival in 1999 was a roaring success. With sets by Hartmut Meyer and costumes by Marie-Louise Strandt, Berghaus’ staging avoids the local peasant colour conventionally associated with Weber’s opera. Chorus and orchestra of the Zurich Opera House are conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, universally celebrated for the structural transparency of his interpretations, his intellectual penetration and his emotional understanding of both music and opera plot. And last but not least an all-star cast made this production a highly memorable event: the dramatic soprano Inga Nielsen as Agathe, one of her best roles, the Swedish soprano Malin Hartelius as Ännchen, the sought-after Heldentenor Peter Seiffert, who gives a convincing passionate Max, and many others.

Dimitrij(cs)

Dvorak's masterpiece. 1981 telecast conducted by Jan Štych.

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos(de)

From the euphoric first to the solemn sixth, the Brandenburg Concertos features some of Bach's finest and most popular orchestral music. Münchener Bach-Orchester ; Karl Richter, conductor and harpsichord. Recorded Apr. 1-10, 1970, Schloss Schleissheim No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046 -- No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047 -- No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048 -- No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049 -- No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050 -- No. 6 in B flat major, BWV 1051. Apr. 1-10, 1970. Orchestra: Münchener Bach-Orchester - Conductor: Karl Richter - Violin: Otto Büchner - Trumpet: Pierre Thibaud - Recorder: Hans-Martin Linde - Recorder: Günter Höller - Oboe: Manfred Clement - Flute: Paul Meisen - Viola: Herbert Blendinger - Viola: Ingo Sinnhoffer - Viola Da Gamba: Hans Dieter Kruse - Viola Da Gamba: Oswald Uhl - Cello: Peter Steiner - Double Bass: Franz Ortner

Massenet: Werther(fr)

Werther loves Charlotte, but she promised her mother on her deathbed that she would marry Albert. After the marriage Charlotte suggests that Werther should travel - but not forget her. In addition to the singing and orchestral accompaniment, the entire cast acts very convincingly. And, there's no backstage mugging, entrances and spoken nonsense to spoil the experience of the drama.

The Metropolitan Opera: The Marriage of Figaro(it)

Richard Eyre’s elegant production, which opened the Met’s 2014–15 season, sets the action of Mozart’s timeless social comedy in a manor house in 1930s Seville. Ildar Abdrazakov leads the cast as the resourceful Figaro set on outwitting his master, the philandering Count Almaviva, played by Peter Mattei. Marlis Petersen sings Susanna, the object of the Count’s affection and Figaro’s bride-to-be, Amanda Majeski is the Countess, and Isabel Leonard gives a standout performance as the pageboy Cherubino. Music Director James Levine on the podium brings out all the humor, drama, and humanity of Mozart’s score.

Norma(en)

NORMA tells the tragic story of a supposedly chaste druidic priestess, who is driven to murderous jealousy by her lover's inconstancy. But she forgoes vengeance, protects innocence, and sees to it that the guilty atone for their crimes. Fiorenza Cedolins, Sonia Ganassi, Vincenzo La Scola, and Andrea Papi star in this 2007 Gran Theatre Del Liceu/Grand Theatre de Geneve co-production of the Bellini opera.

Evensong(en)

Loosely based on the story of the singer Nellie Melba...

Beethoven's Nine: Ode to Humanity(en)

Can a work of art remain relevant 200 years after its creation? Ludwig van Beethoven’s last completed symphony proves it’s possible.

Così fan tutte(it)

Mozart's genius in setting to music da Ponte's comic play of love, infidelity and forgiveness marks COSI FAN TUTTE as one of the great works of art from the Age of Enlightenment. Nicholas Hytner's beautiful new production, with its sure touch and theatrical know-how, lives up to its promise to be "shockingly traditional" as Iván Fischer teases artful performances from an outstanding international cast of convincing young lovers.

Romeo et Juliette - Liceu(es)

Julia Fischer - Violin & Piano(en)

German virtuoso Julia Fischer performs violin and piano concertos by Saint-Saens and Grieg, accompanied by the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie under the baton of Matthias Pintscher.