Recorded at Glyndebourne’s superb opera house, this lavishly praised production of Rossini’s forgotten and unusual tragic opera has proved to be an unequivocal success. Based on Racine’s Andromaque, this account of the Greek and Trojan love tangle has been set by Graham Vick in the classically-inspired auditorium of an Italian opera house, rather than in ancient Greece. The set designs, with their striking colours, forms and lighting are as if created especially for the small screen. “Ermione leapt into the house as a drama – engaging, fiery, tragic, profound” OPERA
Madama Butterfly
From the Teatro alla Scala, Milan 1986 Japanese producer Keita Asari cast two of the Far East’s leading singers in Puccini’s coveted female roles, and collaborated with Japanese designers to create this exquisitely oriental staging of Puccini’s much-loved opera, which was hailed as a triumph by the Italian press and public alike. (Sung in Italian)