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Opera is the focus of this month’s audiovisual releases, with three presentations that contrast in style and substance but are united by a visual delight and vocal excellence in production that were hailed by the critics, from French opéra-bouffe to English operetta via Italian tragedia lirica.
Opéra Comique Collection, Vol. 1
The three opéras-comiques in this set epitomise the glamour, vivacity and zest of the quintessentially French genre and are among their composers’ most admired works. Adolphe Adam’s Le Postillon de Lonjumeau exudes rococo Parisian charm, Reynaldo Hahn’s elegant and refined Ciboulette is one of the last masterpieces of French operetta, and Jacques Offenbach’s La Périchole is an opéra-bouffe of scintillating colour and vivacious dances. These acclaimed productions from the famous stage of the Opéra Comique in Paris feature world-class performers, superb directors, and, in the Adam, costumes by the iconic French fashion designer, Christian Lacroix.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (NBD0189VX)
VIDEO TRAILERS
![DONIZETTI, G.: Roberto Devereux [Opera] (Fondazione Teatro Donizetti, 2024) (NTSC)](https://cdn.naxos.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/DYN-38076.jpg "DONIZETTI, G.: Roberto Devereux [Opera] (Fondazione Teatro Donizetti, 2024) (NTSC)")
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
Roberto Devereux
Tragedia lirica in three acts
Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano
Orchestra Donizetti Opera • Coro dell’Accademia Teatro alla Scala
Riccardo Frizza, Conductor • Stephen Langridge, Director
Roberto Devereux is the fourth and finest of Donizetti’s works dedicated to the Tudor period of English history, and is considered by many to be the ultimate masterpiece amongst his Italian operas. The tragic narrative is a tale of intrigue and vengeance in the court of the elderly and weary Queen Elisabeth I, with Donizetti’s powerful score expressing all of the intense drama and sorrowful emotion demanded by the opera’s finely etched characters. This star-studded Donizetti Opera Festival production received wide critical acclaim.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (DYN-58076)
![SULLIVAN, A.: Gondoliers (The) [Operetta] (Scottish Opera, 2021) (NTSC)](https://cdn.naxos.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/OA1393D.jpg "SULLIVAN, A.: Gondoliers (The) [Operetta] (Scottish Opera, 2021) (NTSC)")
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842–1900)
The Gondoliers
Yvonne Howard • Richard Suart • Ben McAteer • Catriona Hewitson
Arthur Bruce • Dan Shelvey • Cheryl Forbes • Oskar McCarthy
Scottish Opera Orchestra & Chorus
Derek Clark, Conductor • Stuart Maunder, Stage director
Sunny, funny and with more ‘tra la las’ per square inch than any other opera in the canon, The Gondoliers is a joy from start to finish
The Gondoliers, the twelfth of fourteen operas from Gilbert & Sullivan, has been an audience favourite since its 1889 premiere. The tunes are infectious, the romantic and family conflicts heartfelt, and the satire of rank and station constantly entertaining and relevant. This Scottish Opera co-production with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and State Opera South Australia is created by some of the world’s foremost G&S enthusiasts and experts.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (OABD7305D)