When Act 2 of Fidelio is being poured out in the most glorious tones imaginable from Mattila, Heppner and Pape - who can possibly complain? Who would honestly want to replace any of them? Who can fail to be overwhelmed with gratitude to own this disc? If I continue to count our blessings, I might mention the splendid Robert Lloyd drawing us to a thrilling finale as Don Fernando; and Falk Struckmann a convincingly evil Pizarro. So it is certainly not complaining, but fulfilling a reviewer's obligation to tell all, when I admit that Jennifer Welch-Babidge is little more than adequate as Marzelline. One might wish for a purer vocal line in this role - like a Bonney or an Isokoski.
This production is a gala affair; the sets are traditional (evocative of 18th-19th century Spain); the lighting is bright, so colors are good and one can see all of the action. Singers are generally well chosen and perform admirably. However, at this point, slight reservations creep in; although Janowitz (Fidelio/Leonore) and Kollo (Florestan) look "good" and act well, the singing parts tax them a bit when pushed to the limit. Most of the time that doesn't matter, and an argument can be made that a little vocal strain is in character with their dire plight. Ideally, for me, Vickers as Florestan would have added extra vocal heft and more sensitive acting than Kollo.
Les Enfoiros, quel festival !
Les Enfoiros, ça tourne !
Live in London is a live concert recording of George Michael's final two concerts in London's Earl's Court arena on 24th and 25th August 2008 as part of his 25 Live tour. It features a career-spanning set that includes Wham! classics and his solo hits. This is the first live DVD of George Michael's career.
Multi-platinum recording artist and Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood headlines CARRIE UNDERWOOD: AN ALL-STAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL, a two-hour variety special. Underwood performs new music from her upcoming album as well as previous hits and holiday classics. She is also joined on stage by special musical guests and chart-topping artists including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and David Cook.
Live performance from the influential post-punk band, one of the pioneers of industrial and goth music, fronted by the eccentric Jaz Coleman.
Stylish film of the British progressive rock band Pink Floyd in 1971 performing a concert with no audience, in the ancient Roman Amphitheater in the ruins of Pompeii, Italy. There are four editions of the film: the original 1972 version with the concert only (60 min.), a longer 1974 theatrical version (85 min.) featuring the concert interspersed with interviews and footage of Pink Floyd in the studio working on their next album, Dark Side of the Moon, the 2003 Director's Cut which added CGI effects to the 1974 version, then finally the 2016 Blu-ray version which re-arranged the song order of the 2003 version.
Ten short pieces directed by ten different directors, including Ken Russell, Jean-Luc Godard, Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, and Nicolas Roeg. Each short uses an aria as soundtrack/sound, and is an interpretation of the particular aria.
Hullabaloo: Live at Le Zenith, Paris (commonly referred to as Hullabaloo) is a live video album by English alternative rock band Muse. The video documents the band's two performances at Le Zénith in Paris, France on 28 and 29 October 2001 and features an additional disc of backstage footage.
Filmed at the launch party for their debut album 'Lungs', Florence and the Machine performs the songs at the Rivoli Ballroom in this special concert.
L’Étoile did much to establish Chabrier as a major force on the Parisian stage and his contemporary Henri Duparc praised him specifically for creating a French comic genre, both funny and musical – described as something of a French Die Meistersinger. The fanciful story is set in an imaginary kingdom and all, naturally, ends well. However, despite the slight plot line L’Étoile is something of a pivotal work, a unique example of French 19th-century light opera, orchestrated with great sophistication and flooded with gossamer wit.
Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.
The vintage live concert by Rockapella was recorded live on December 9, 2000 at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California.
Giacomo Meyerbeer's pastoral opera,based on a Breton tale, is the tale of DINORAH who has gone mad because her bridegroom Hoël has disappeared during their wedding. This production, performed as part of Théâtre Impérial de Compiegne's purpose of reviving obscure French opera, is the only version of 'Dinorah' available on DVD, but it is a great production! The painterly pastoral settings and décor and rustic costumes are very easy on the eye. Opera traditionalists who dislike modern stagings will be delighted to know that this is a traditional production. Pierre Jourdan's stage direction is charming and always involving, never once falling into static movements or gestures, gratuitous distaste and irrelevance. With Isabelle Philippe, Armand Arapian and Frédéric Mazzotta. Conducted by Olivier Opebeek.
Pulse (stylized as P•U•L•S•E) is a Pink Floyd concert video taken from the October 20, 1994 concert at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, in The Division Bell tour.
On the 23rd of August 2009, Nine Inch Nails performed their 1994 album, The Downward Spiral in its entirety. Filmed in High Definition at Webster Hall by fans of the band, this concert film is gritty, loud and in the thick of the action. A moment in history filmed on the "Wave Goodbye" tour.
This concert was filmed at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2005 at the culmination of his farewell tour prior to his retirement. It’s a spectacular show with multi-level staging, amazing lighting and guest appearances from D12, Obie Trice and Stat Quo. Originally filmed for US TV station Showtime the show is now available on Blu-ray for the first time and gives us Eminem at his charismatic best.
A line-up that leaves connoisseurs of the international music scene rapturously clicking their tongues in appreciation. A sold-out theatre saw convincing evidence of just how powerful and exciting a concert from Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock is. The musicians clapped along with the fans as they sung along to old and new songs. All musical phases of Michael Schenker's career were included. Limited Edition (5000) individual numbered units.
When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it’s a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thaïs, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.