Dvd
Verdi: Macbeth (Gran Teatre del Liceu)
Carlos Álvarez (Macbeth); Maria Guleghina (Lady Macbeth); Roberto Scandiuzzi (Banquo); Begoña Alberdi (Lady in Waiting); Marco Berti (Macduff); Javier Palacios (Malcolm); Ferran Ilari (Fleance);
"A strong cast was the most prominent factor in the return of Macbeth to the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Carlos Álvarez...sung in glorious voice and with a good sense of the psychology of the character. His dominating Lady wasGuleghina...her dramatic presence is overwhelming, especially in her wonderful Sleepwalking scene." (Opera)
Verdi: Macbeth (The Royal Opera)
Simon Keenlyside (Macbeth); Liudmyla Monastyrska (Lady Macbeth); Raymond Aceto (Banquo);
"... an impressive company showcase, full of moments when chorus and orchestra are at full throttle. Whipped up by Antonio Pappano's baton, they sound truly thrilling." (The Guardian)
Verdi: Nabucco
Jonathan Summers (Nabucco); Bruce Martin (Zaccaria); Rosemary Gunn (Fenena); Jeannie Kelso (Anna); Anson Austin (Ismaele); Elizabeth Connell (Abigaille);
"Jonathan Summers...was in wonderful voice and gave a performance of rich intensity and dramatic power...The Hebrews' choral lament, Va Pensiero, perhaps Verdi's most famous piece was given thrilling voice by The Australian Opera Chorus." (The Australian)
Verdi: Oberto (Ópera de Bilbao)
Ildar Abdrazakov (Oberto); Evelyn Herlitzius (Leonora); Carlo Ventre (Ricardo); Marianne Cornetti (Cuniza);
"Verdi's first opera launches the ambitious Tutto Verdi project in the capital of the Basque Country, Bilbao, supported by an international committee including Claudio Abbado, Carlo Bergonzi and Riccardo Chailly. Yves Abel achieves optimum directing, rhythmic sense and ideal control of dynamics without renouncing to the boldness of this already fascinating young Verdi. Ildar Abrazakov achieves a personal triumph...his fantastic tessitura, interpretation, vocalization, and his privileged timbre, make this young bass a precious element." (L'Opera)
Verdi: Operas Box Set (Liceu; Teatro Real; The Royal Opera)
Stefano Palatchi (Il Re (Aida)); Elisabetta Fiorillo (Amneris (Aida)); Daniela Dessì (Aida (Aida)); Norah Amsellem (Violetta Valéry (La traviata)); Itxaro Mentxaka (Flora Bervoix (La traviata)); María Espada (Annina (La traviata)); Marcelo Alvarez (Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto)); Paolo Gavanelli (Rigoletto (Rigoletto));
"With stunning costumes, excellent surround sound and a superb cast, this sumptuous production will please any opera fan." (www.new-classics.com - Aida)
Verdi: Otello
Plácido Domingo (Otello); Kiri Te Kanawa (Desdemona); Sergei Leiferkus (Iago);
"Filmed in 1992, Moshinsky's traditional Covent Garden production with lavish costumes and sets makes an ideal DVD with an almost unmatchable cast of principals. Plácido Domingo was at his peak as Otello, powerful and heroic, while Dame Kiri Te Kanawa as Desdemona sings ravishingly, fining her tone down to a mere whisper at times. Sergei Leiferkus too was at his finest as Iago, and Sir Georg Solti conducts his Covent Garden forces with characteristic high drama. Well recorded, it is an outstanding DVD." (The Penguin Guide)