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This month's new audiovisual releases feature a production from Oper Halle of Handel's Brockes Passion that turns the static oratorio into a character-driven staged drama. There's also a Teatro Lirico di Cagliari production of Boito's rarely performed opera Nerone in a new staging by Fabio Ceresa, and a Royal Opera production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly that was widely acclaimed for Asmik Gregorian's electrifying performance in the title role.
![HANDEL, G.F.: Brockes Passion [Oratorio] (Sellier, Waldhart, Zehe, Halle Opera Chorus, Halle Handel Festival Orchestra, Hofstetter) (NTSC)](../../sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/2.110755.jpg "HANDEL, G.F.: Brockes Passion [Oratorio] (Sellier, Waldhart, Zehe, Halle Opera Chorus, Halle Handel Festival Orchestra, Hofstetter) (NTSC)")
George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759)
Brockes Passion
The Story of Jesus, Suffering and Dying for the Sins of the World
Oratorio in two parts, HWV 48 (1716)
Libretto by Barthold Heinrich Brockes (1680–1747)
Soloists and Chorus of Oper HalleHändelfestspielorchester Halle
Michael Hofstetter, Conductor
Walter Sutcliffe, Stage Director
Influential German poet Barthold Heinrich Brockes reinvented the Passion oratorio tradition, transforming its textures into a much-admired poetic meditation that took hold of the imagination of many German Baroque composers. Of several settings Handel’s is by far the most famous, creating an eloquent and moving score from his friend’s libretto. This acclaimed staged version directed by Walter Sutcliffe extends the vision of the original by asking fundamental questions about the evolution of mankind and its dangerous implications for planet Earth.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (NBD0167V)
![BOITO, A.: Nerone [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2024) (NTSC)](../../sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/DYN-38047.jpg "BOITO, A.: Nerone [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2024) (NTSC)")
Arrigo BOITO (1842–1918)
Nerone
Tragedia in four acts – Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Mikheil Sheshaberidze • Franco VassalloRoberto Frontali • Valentina Boi • Deniz Uzun
Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Lirico di Cagliari
Francesco Cilluffo, Conductor • Fabio Ceresa, Director
A century after its world premiere at Teatro all Scala under Arturo Toscanini, conductor Francesco Cilluffo opened the 2024 season of the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari with this acclaimed production of Arrigo Boito’s rarely performed Nerone. Set in Rome and focusing on Nero during a time of conflict between belief in Roman Gods and Christianity, Boito’s opera displays a forward-looking harmonic palette with an eloquent and masterly handling of large orchestral forces.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (DYN-58047)
![PUCCINI, G.: Madama Butterfly [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2024) (NTSC)](../../sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/OA1391D.jpg "PUCCINI, G.: Madama Butterfly [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2024) (NTSC)")
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924)
Madama Butterfly
Asmik Grigorian • Joshua Guerrero • Lauri Vasar • Hongni WuOrchestra of the Royal Opera House • Royal Opera Chorus
Kevin John Edusei, Conductor • Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier, Directors
When young Japanese geisha Cio-Cio-San marries American naval officer Pinkerton, she believes she is entering a marriage for life. Forsaking her religion and community, she dreams of a future with her new husband, only to learn that for Pinkerton, their marriage is merely an illusion — one with tragic consequences.
With its exquisite score, Giacomo Puccini’s poignant 1904 opera is as beautiful as it is shattering. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century European images of Japan, Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s production stars Asmik Grigorian with Kevin John Edusei conducting.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (OABD7328D)
The Opus Arte Critics’ Choice series is a diverse range of titles featuring some of the most acclaimed recordings in the label’s catalogue at a very special price. In this series we celebrate many famous classics while also revisiting some of the more innovative, original and perhaps less well-known productions that the label has long been renowned for showcasing. All the new Critics’ Choice releases contain the beautifully designed, original artwork and colour booklets which, along with a new unique cover design uniting all the titles, makes them ideal for collectors.
Johann STRAUSS (1825–1899)
Die Fledermaus
Pamela Armstrong • Thomas Allen • Lyubov PetrovaMalena Ernman • Håkan Hagegård
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, Conductor
Glyndebourne’s pulsating production of the Waltz King’s much-loved comic operetta includes outstanding performances from a cast led by Pamela Armstrong, Thomsa Allen, Ragnar Ulfung and Håkan Hagegård with The Glyndebourne Chorus and London Philharmonic Orchestra under Vladimir Jurowski.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (OABD7004D)