Highlights from: MOZART Le nozze di Figaro; Don Giovanni. PUCCINI Tosca; Turandot. LEONCAVALLO Pagliacci. SAINT-SAËNS Samson et Dalila. MASSENET Werther. DVORÁK Rusalka. WAGNER Lohengrin. R. STRAUSS Der Rosenkavalier. LEHÁR Das Land des Lächelns. J. STRAUSS Die Fledermaus

The first selection on this DVD is orchestral, an excerpt from Handel’s fireworks music. Angelika Kirschlager then sings “Non so piů cosa son” and “Voi,che sapete” from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. René Pape is featured singing “Madamina” from Don Giovanni. Michčle Crider sings “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca. Adrianne Pieczonka is then featured in the “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka. From Lohengrin, Anne Schwanewilms sings “Einsam in trüben Tagen.” Kirchschlager and Pieczonka are joined by Juliane Banse in the trio “Hah mir’s gelobt.” Salvatore Licitra is heard in “Nessun dorma,” and the veteran Grace Bumbry sings “Mon couer s’ouvre ŕ ta voix.” Vesselina Karasova sings “Des cris joyeux” from Werther, followed by Vladimir Galouzine’s rendition of “Vesti la giubba.” The final two selections are from operetta, “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” from Lehár’s Das Land des Lächelns,” sung by Charles Castronovo, and then all the singers plus baritone Markus Brück and countertenor Jochen Kowalski join in the ensemble “Brüderlein und Scwesterlein” from Die Fledermaus.

The booklet contains information about the singers. The sound and picture are excellent. Kent Nagano and the orchestra are first-rate. The vocal performances on this DVD are all very good; all of the singers perform well. However, the repertoire is standard, and most collectors will have recordings of the arias presented on this disc. Recommended to fans of any of the singers.

FANFARE: Bob Rose

Filmed November 2003. Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1