John van Kesteren

Die Italienerin in Algier

Günter Roth

Heinz Hermann, Margit Schramm

Cancan und Bakarole

Arthur Maria Rabenalt

Ulrich Beiger, Lilian Benningsen

Ariadne auf Naxos

Erich Neuberg

Erik Frey, Paul Schöffler

Opera by Strauss

Carmina Burana

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle

Lucia Popp, John van Kesteren

A very visual and profound dramatization of the various sections of Carmina Burana, a symphonic piece composed by Carl Orff about medieval poetry by an anonymous author.

Der Rosenkavalier

Herbert von Karajan, Hugo Käch

Herbert von Karajan, Anna Tomowa-Sintow

A production of Strauss' opera 'Der Rosenkavalier' performed at the Saltzburg Festival in 1984. Includes the Vienna State Opera Choir, the Philharmonic Orchestra with singers Wilma Lipp, Anna Tomowa-Sintow and Agnes Baltsa. Conducted by Herbert Von Karaja

Le nozze di Figaro

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle

Hermann Prey, Mirella Freni

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark undertones explore the blurred boundaries between dying feudalism and emerging Enlightenment. Herman Prey's Figaro is admirably sung in a firm baritone and aptly characterized. So too, is his antagonist, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as the Count perpetually frustrated by the scheming wiles of Figaro and Susanna, here the perky Mirella Freni, who sings and acts like a dream. The Countess is creamy-voiced Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Cherubino, Maria Ewing, looks just like the horny, teenaged page she's supposed to be. The all-star leads are complemented by worthy supporting singers, the Vienna Philharmonic at the top of its form, and the experienced Mozartian, Karl Böhm conducting a stylishly fleet performance.