IL TROVATORE

For La forza del destino, Verdi created one of his most famous melodies, the "fate" motif that permeates the whole score. Music and action alternate in masterly fashion between large-scale crowd scenes and intimate interiority, illustrating Verdi's real theme: The manner in which fallible human beings are destroyed by a cruel fate.

All the world's a joke, says Falstaff, and these words are truly given weight by Ambrogio Maestri, one of the finest Falstaffs of our time. The Italian baritone brings a powerful, versatile voice to his role, but also brings to his character a hilarious buffo quality. Daniele Gatti, one of the most acclaimed opera conductors working today, leads a stunning cast of singers, including Barbara Frittoli as Alice Ford. This boisterous production by stage director Sven-Eric Bechtolf delivers a Falstaff that is a fireworks display of high spirits. "Bechtolf turns Verdi's last opera "musically and dramaturgically into a feast of life and of love of life."

Part of the 200th anniversary series "Tutto Verdi," this admirable Ernani starring the likes of Marco Berti and Carlo Guelfi will become the first recording of this work available on Blu-ray. Staged by legendary director Pierluigi Pier'Alli of La Scala fame, this version from the Tetro Regio di Parma is sure to become legend itself!

Verdi based La traviata on Alexandre Dumas fils's novel and play La Dame aux camélias, inspired by the life and death of the real Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis. One of the most popular of all operas, the 2018/2019 season featured 151 productions of La traviata performed worldwide. Verdi's sublime score contains some of his most inspired arias and duets. Ermonela Jaho stars as Violetta, opposite Charles Castronovo as Alfredo, with Plácido Domingo as his unyielding father in Richard Eyre’s classic production, featuring stunning naturalistic designs by Bob Crowley. This production is recorded in High Definition and true Surround Sound.

CLASSICS FOR A SUMMER EVENING

RIGOLETTO

RIGOLETTO

IL TROVATORE

FALSTAFF

This performance of Rigoletto features possibly the most famous tenor of all time, Luciano Pavarotti. This three act opera by Giuseppe Verdi was premiered in Venice on March 11, 1851. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave, and is based on Victor Hugo’s play Le roi s’amuse. Alongside Pavarotti is a world-class cast, including Kostas Paskalis in the title role, Renata Scotta as Gilda andRosa Laghezza as Maddalena.

Verdi: Falstaff (Recorded 1961) [Live]

Verdi: La traviata (Recorded 1946)

Verdi: Rigoletto

POWER OF FATE