Kit Armstrong plays Wagner, Liszt and Mozart

Bayreuth is not only the city of Richard Wagner, but also of his father-in-law Franz Liszt. Described by the New York Times as a “brilliant pianist” who combines “musical maturity and youthful daring in his exceptional playing”, Kit Armstrong performed at the famous Margravial Opera House Bayreuth, a masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture, works by

Wagner, Liszt and Mozart in a concert that was “technically sophisticated – and poetically poignant”. (Der Opernfreund) Alfred Brendel, who has guided Armstrong as teacher and mentor since 2005, ascribes to him “an understanding of the great piano works that combines freshness and subtlety, emotion and intellect”.

Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)

At Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, maestro Fabio Luisi gives “a superb performance” (Operawire) of Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), the forerunner of grand Wagnerian dramas. His Italian Richard Wagner debut is infused with energy and drive, under his direction the orchestra and chorus of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, together with Coro Ars Lyrica, sparkle “in what was a five star performance” (Operawire). Thomas Gazheli stars as the Dutchman, who has been condemned to endlessly wander the seas until the day of Judgement. Marjorie Owens shines as his saviour Senta.

Tristan und Isolde

This production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, directed by Pierre Audi, has received high acclaim in Paris and Rome. “Pierre Audi is one of the few directors who works with Wagner by subtraction, imagining the story in a minimalist dimension, out of time, abstract: … Don’t miss it.“ (Il Messagero). „The Orchestra of Teatro Opera of Rome proves with this interpretation that it is one of the best opera house orchestras in Europe.“ (KlassikInfo.de) “Ecstasy, emotion and effect unleashed by Daniele Gatti at the podium of the Orchestra was overwhelming.“ (News.at). “Excellent Andreas Schager as Tristan, vocally strong Rachel Nicholls as Isolde.“ (KlassikInfo.de). “Brilliant! Gatti is a supreme Wagnerian, gloriously aware of all the kinesthetic requirements. Schager is convincing, Nicolls among the great Isoldes I’ve heard. If your ambition is to increase your understanding of Tristan, beg, borrow or steal a ticket.” Jack Buckley, SEEN AND HEARD

Leonard Bernstein: Wagner – Tristan und Isolde

This is one of the most beautiful and brilliant recordings of Wagner´s Tristan und Isolde and it´s first time available on DVD and Bluray. Leonard Bernstein’s way of conducting this opera is unique and he makes orchestra and singers perform at their very best. The Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks was the only German orchestra with which Leonard Bernstein regularly collaborated for many years and it has numbered among the top ten orchestras in the world. A star cast of singers with Peter Hofmann and Hildegard Behrens in the title roles, completes this exceptional semi-staged production. Bernstein’s 1981 recording of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde is still considered an outstanding interpretation and has set the bar until this day. When he heard this performance Karl Böhm said, “Bernstein has conducted Tristan und Isolde the way that Wagner intended it to be conducted”.

Die Walküre

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Salzburg Easter Festival presents a “Re-creation” of Die Walküre: of Herbert von Karajan’s musico-theatrical vision of the 19th century masterwork, with which the legendary Maestro opened the very first Easter Festival in 1967. The top-ranking ensemble of singers performs in the faithfully reconstructed scenery of the

original production with impressive video backdrops inspired by the original glass paintings. Christian Thielemann, who has been assistant of Karajan in his beginnings, counts among the world’s foremost Wagner conductors, “… there is an absolute polish to this performance that is exceptional” writes the Financial Times about the conductor and orchestra. The critics are full of praise for this “musically ravishing Walküre” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) and its “excellent ensemble of soloists”. As Sieglinde, Anja Harteros is “enchanting and elegant”, Peter Seiffert “amazingly presents a steady and expressive Siegmund”, Christa Mayer “shows off as irresistible, throroughbred Fricka” and Anja Kampe is celebrated as “outstanding Brünnhilde” (Süddeutsche Zeitung). “Musically it was superb.” (The Spectator)

The Odeonsplatz Concert, Verdi & Wagner, Rolando Villazon & Thomas Hampson

Take super-tenor Rolando Villazón, baritone legend Thomas Hampson and the fast-rising baton star Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Add one of the world’s greatest orchestras, a summer’s night on Munich’s magnificent Odeonsplatz and a bouquet of famous opera arias, duets, overtures and choruses performed in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner. The result: a scintillating opera gala offering you the chance to experience and revisit the Odeonsplatz Concert 2013 in all ist glory and grandezza!

Wagner Christian Thielemann – Jonas Kaufmann

In memory of the great Richard Wagner and mindful of their own Wagner tradition, the Staatskapelle Dresden staged this glittering gala concert in the Semperoper on the eve of Richard Wagner’s bicentenary. They were directed by their principal conductor Christian Thielemann, indisputably one of the great Wagner conductors of our time, and he was joined by the hottest young heroic tenor of recent years, Jonas Kaufmann. The programme features the overtures to the Wagner operas written and premiered in Dresden – 1842 Rienzi, 1843 The Flying Dutchman and 1845 Tannhäuser – as well as great tenor scenes from Rienzi, Tannhäuser and Lohengrin. “Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann was celebrated with bravos and tumultuous applause – as were the musicians and Thielemann.” (Focus)

The Colón Ring – Wagner in Buenos Aires

Is it really possible to stage Wagner’s Ring on a single day? The composer’s great-granddaughter, Katharina Wagner, who now runs the Bayreuth Festival, was keen to stage Cord Garben‘s abridged version of the cycle at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, but in the event things turned out rather differently. When she and her team arrived at the Colón, they found that the rehearsal conditions were not what they were expecting, and so she decided that the task should be entrusted to a different director. Valentina Carrasco took over at short notice and together with the singers and the set and costume designers she staged the Ring in a seven-hour version never previously seen – and all

on a single day! The present documentary provides a thrilling and visually memorable account of the long journey taken by this version from its inception to the first night.

Der Ring des Nibelungen in 7 hours

Is it possible to stage Wagner’s Ring on a single day? After a difficult production process, the Teatro Colón has triumphantly succeeded in bringing to life and to the stage the abridged version by pianist and conductor Cord Garben – clocking in at just under seven hours. With the help of a superlative cast of Wagner singers, director Valentina Carrasco, famous for her work with La Fura dels Baus, has transposed the plot into the 1970s – the period of Argentina’s military dictatorship. However, the music remains pure and majestic Wagner, skilfully and faithfully condensed into a revolutionary format. The documentary included provides a thrilling account of the epic creative journey that took

the Colón Ring from its inception to the opening night.

“Linda Watson‘s Brünnhilde outshines everything.” FAZ

“In the end the Wagner venture in Buenos Aires succeeded after all.” Die Welt

Andris Nelsons, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Shostakovich Symphony No. 8

The Latvian maestro Andris Nelsons is already one of the most sought-after young conductors in the world and once again served notice of his extraordinary talent when he conducted two concerts with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam at the prestigious Lucerne Festival. In the present recording of the first of these concerts (which are both available on DVD and Blu-ray from C Major Entertainment), orchestra and conductor demonstrate their brilliance in some of the most spectacular orchestral works ever written. “A profoundly moving interpretation” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung).