When more than 500,000 people gathered in New York’s Central Park on 26 June 1993, they wanted to hear only one thing: The voice of the greatest tenor of the twentieth century: the voice of Luciano Pavarotti. A year earlier, Pavarotti had thrilled the crowds in London’s Hyde Park – here, in New York, he confirmed once again that he is an undisputed world star. He is accompanied by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Leone Magiera, featuring the flutist Andrea Griminelli and The Boys Choir of Harlem, whose voices can be heard on albums of Michael Jackson, Kathleen Battle and many more. The recording of this concert, without doubt one of Pavarotti’s most celebrated performances, includes the famous Puccini arias Nessun dorma and E lucevan le stelle and Neapolitanian songs as ‘O sole mio. This legendary concert is now available for the first time on Blu-ray!
Opera Gala für die deutsche Aids Stiftung
Excerpts from the musical program of the 5th Opera Gala for the German AIDS Foundation on 21 May 2016 at the Bonn Opera House. Featuring renowned singes like Simone Kermes, Roberto De Biasio and Robin Johannsen.
New Year’s Eve Concert at Semperoper Dresden
The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden rings in the New Year at the Semperoper with a dazzling program of timeless hits and international stars. Andrès Orozco-Estrada conducts, with soprano Pretty Yende, baritone Benjamin Appl, and cellist Gautier Capucon as soloists. The concert spans Haydn to Márquez, featuring operatic arias, Broadway favourites, Latin rhythms, and orchestral gems like Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Haydn’s Cello Concerto, Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel, and iconic songs from My Fair Lady and Singin’ in the Rain.
The Odeonsplatz Concert: Gergiev & Florez
Munich’s Odeonsplatz Concert is one of the open-air highlights of the year. The magnificent Residenz Palace on one side and the serene, towering Theatinerkirche on the other provide the ideal backdrop for exceptional performances of classical music. In this setting, Juan Diego Flórez presents an impressive aria programme, for which “he is celebrated like a popstar” (Süddeutsche Zeitung) by the Munich public. The Münchner Philharmoniker shine with their maestro Valery Gergiev at the helm. Arias by Mozart, Donizetti, Massenet, Puccini, Verdi; Rimskij-Korsakow: Scheherazade
Stars of Tomorrow presented by Rolando Villazón – Episode 12
Program: Dmitri Shostakovich: Festive Overture / Gaetano Donizetti: “Prendi, per me sei libero” from L’elisir d’amore / Carl Maria von Weber: Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra in E flat major / Alexander Glazunov: Chant du ménestrel for Cello and Orchestra / Johann Sebastian Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G major – Sarabande: Irving Berlin Puttin’ on the Ritz / Giacomo Puccini “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi / Igor Stravinsky: Three pieces for Clarinet solo / Jules Massenet: Elégie / Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Overture to The Nutcracker
Grafenegg: Midsummer Night’s Gala 2022
“A nonchalant Erwin Schrott (baritone), a stormy Marlies Petersen (soprano) and a stunning Selina Ott, who does somersaults with her trumpet. Conclusion: A summer night dance over the rainbow! ” (Niederösterreichische Nachrichten) A splendid start to the open air season, full of pathos and tender whispers: every year the Midsummer Night’s Gala in Grafenegg strikes the most beautiful notes of the opera and concert repertoire. As the sun slowly descends behind the castle, the colourful sound of the Tonkunstler Orchestra ascends from the Wolkenturm, captivating listeners with its commitment and the best soloists from all over the world. In 2022, two important voices will be heard with the German soprano Marlis Peterson, who has gained international attention with her creative power, and the Uruguayan-Spanish bassbaritone Erwin Schrott, who will enchant listeners with his rich tone. These two international stars are joined by the young trumpet virtuoso Selina Ott, who is on the verge of conquering the world’s great concert halls.
Juan Diego Flórez & Vincenzo Scalera – The Salzburg Recital
The Salzburg Festival, where the world’s most famous artists come together, is always good for great concert experiences – and yet this unique concert is sure to go down in the annals of the festival. With a varied programme of popular Italian airs by Tosti and Leoncavallo, tender French songs by Henri Duparc and old favourites from Italian bel canto, the “Peruvian vocal miracle” (Die Presse) was an utter delight at his soldout lieder recital in the Grosses Festspielhaus. The first of the three encores brought for many the covert climax of the evening: Floréz plucked a guitar and accompanied himself in Consuelo Velázquez’ “Bésame mucho”. With infinite tenderness, gentle heights, heartfelt devotion and seemingly never-ending top notes, Floréz conquered every heart in the house, prompting storms of enthusiastic applause.
Opera Gala Bonn
5th Opera Gala in Bonn, Germany for the German AIDS Foundation. PROGRAM: Arias and scenes from operas by Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Gounod, Beethoven, Delibes, Offenbach, Curtis, de Arditi, Johann Strauss.
Berlin Opera Night 2007
OPERA NIGHT 2007 for the German AIDS Foundation live from the Deutsche OperBerlin with world-renowned artists presented by Max Raabe PROGRAM: 1. Overture (from: L‘ITALIANA IN ALGERI) / 2. La calunnia è un venticello (from: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) / 3. Sempre libera (from: LA TRAVIATA) / 4. Pourquoi me réveiller (from: WERTHER) / 5. Nemico della patria (from: ANDREA CHENIER) / 6. La mamma morta (from: ANDREA CHENIER) / 7. O Fortuna (from: CARMINA BURANA) / 8. Fortuna plango vulnera (from: CARMINA BURANA) / 9. O mio babbino caro (from: GIANNI SCHICCHI) / 10. Cruda sorte (from: L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI) / 11. Una furtiva lagrima (from: L’ELISIR D’AMORE) / 12. Si mi chiamano Mimì (from: LA BOHÈME) / 13. Ah! Non credea mirarti … Ah! non giunge (from: LA SONNAMBULA) / 14. Lippen schweigen (from: DIE LUSTIGE WITWE) / 15. Freunde, das Leben ist lebenswert! (from: GIUDITTA) / 16. Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (from: DAS LAND DES LÄCHELNS)
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra -Opening Gala 2010/2011 with Gustavo Dudamel and Juan Diego Flórez
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra started its season with a great Gala Concert conducted by music director Gustavo Dudamel. As special guest: star tenor Juan Diego Flórez. The programme includes popular arias by Rossini as well as famous songs by Latin-American composers. Programme: Rossini, Overture to ‘La gazza ladra’, Overture to ‘Semiramide’, ‘La Speranza piu soave’ from Semiramide, Overture to Guillaume Tell, ‘Asil ereditaire’ from Guillaume Tell; Granada (arr. Florez),’ La flor de la canela’; Mancayo,’ Huapango’; Grever (arr. Guinovart), ‘Jurame’; Gutierrez (arr. Pena), ‘Alma Ilanera’; Marquez, Danzon No. 2; Encores: Verdi, ‘La donna e mobile’ from Rigoletto; Gounod: ‘Ah, leve toi soleil’ from Romeo and Juliette.