Puccini’s verismo masterpiece demands a trio of vocal soloists of stellar quality. This Munich Festival production of “Tosca” meets all expectations. The great Finnish soprano Karita Mattila infuses her Tosca with passion and controlled intensity. As her lover Cavaradossi, Jonas Kaufmann once again confirms his status as one of the leading tenors of our time, and Juha Uusitalo’s evil Scarpia brims with dark menace.
The Passenger
Continuing its tradition of unearthing little-known 20th-century operas, the Bregenz Festival presented the first staged production of Polish- Russian composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s “The Passenger” in 2010. Written in 1967/68, the opera relates the chance meeting of a former concentration camp guard and one of her former inmates on an ocean liner years after the war. Bringing the work to vibrant life are the Wiener Symphoniker under Teodor Currentzis; topping the cast are Michelle Breedt and Elena Kelessidi. The work is well served by David Pountney’s stage direction and Johan Engels’ two-level set, with the ocean liner above and the concentration camp below.
Carmen
Stealing the show of this “Carmen” production is Anna Netrebko as Micaela, who gives the role a strikingly authentic touch. The lead role is sung and acted with a panther-like grace by Bulgarian mezzo Nadia Krasteva. She and her equally dazzling fellow leads Massimo Giordano as Don José and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo as Escamillo infuse this revival of Franco Zeffirelli’s 1978 production with drama and irrepressible life. Imparting his own personal stamp on the music is the young Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons, who leads the Orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper with contagious passion and fresh, brisk tempi.
Beethoven, Missa solemnis in D major, Op.123
The concert commemorating the bombardment of Dresden in World War II features Beethoven’s mighty choral work under the direction of Christian Thielemann. Playing with vibrancy and passion, the Staatskapelle Dresden made a profound impression on the entire audience. Particularly remarkable is the fabulously homogeneous solo quartet formed of Krassimira Stoyanova, Elina Garanca, Michael Schade and Franz-Josef Selig. Another major vocal feat was accomplished by the Saxon State Opera Choir, which mastered the extremely difficult choral part with effortless proficiency.
La vida breve
Manuel de Falla’s short opera “La vida breve” is perhaps the greatest opera in the entire Spanish repertoire. Premiered in 1913, it is the tragic story of the poor gypsy Salud, whose lover Paco betrays her and plans to wed a wealthy young woman. In his production at Valencia’s Palau de les Arts “Reina Sofia”, director Giancarlo del Monaco creates a psychological drama in which Salud is on stage at all times, as if witnessing her own living nightmare of blood and shame. Conductor Lorin Maazel, whom national daily El Paìs hails as the “triunfador” of the evening, leads an exquisite band of soloists headed by Chilean soprano Cristina Gallardo- Domâs, Jorge de León Paco and María Luisa Corbacho.
300 Years Giovanni Batista Pergolesi – The complete Operas: Adriano in Siria, Il Flaminio, Il Prigionier superbo
In 2010, the music world celebrated the 300th birthday of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, one of the most important and fascinating composers of the early 18th century. C Major Entertainment and UNITEL honour the composer, violinist and organist by presenting his complete stage entertainments recorded at the famous Pergolesi Festival in the composer’s home town, Jesi. Performed by singers and musicians specialising in the music of the 18th century. The cycle includes: ‘Adriano in Siria’ + ‘Livetta e Tracollo’ (193’), ‘L’Olimpiade’ (approx. 210’), ‘Salustia’ (approx. 170’), ‘Il Prigionier superbo’ (124’), ‘Lo Frate ‘nnamorato’ (approx. 200’), ‘Il Flaminio’ (183’) and ‘La Serva Padrona’ (approx. 50’).
Tutto Verdi: Simon Boccanegra, Luisa Miller, Giovanna d’Arco, Il Corsaro, I Lombardi alla prima crociata, Nabucco, I due Foscari, Un giorno di regno
On the occasion of the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi in 2013 one of the most important opera houses in Italy, The Teatro Regio in Parma, performes Verdi’s complete operas. As co-producer of this project, Unitel presents the operas in High Definition including 5.1 sound. An exceptional and unique project to honour the great composer! Already available are: ‘Simon Boccanegra’ (155′), ‘Luisa Miller’ (146′), ‘Giovanna d’Arco’ (130′), ‘Il Corsaro’ (90′),’ I Lombardi alla prima crociata’ (130′),’ Nabucco’ (132′),’ I due Foscari’ (114′), ‘Un giorno di regno’ (120′)
Manfred
As a young man, Schumann had got to know Byron’s works through his father’s publishing business. There is no question that the composer recognised his own psyche in Manfred’s rugged soul. But he also responded to the challenge of Byron’s artistic concept of Manfred as “mental theatre”.
In the Düsseldorf production, the audience “becomes” Manfred, experiencing through the eyes of the eponymous hero a projection of the visually alienated world of the Swiss mountains in which the story is set – visualisation by the Austrian media artist Johannes Deutsch.
Medea
Marlis Petersen, Michaela Selinger, Elisabeth Kulman, Michael Roider, and Adrian Erod star in this Vienna State Opera production of the Reimann opera conducted by Michale Boder and directed by Marco Arturo Marelli.