Kreisler: Famous Encores

MacBeth undoubtedly marked a turning point in Verdi's operatic writing, i. e. , the foregrounding of the characters' introspective, psychological aspects. This DVD/Blu-ray captures the production staged at Novara's Teatro Coccia during the 2013-14 season, with thriller/horror filmmaker Dario Argento tackling opera direction for the first time. One could only expect a direction in line with his films, and from that point of view this MacBeth meets expectations, with the visualization of the opera's bloody, indeed gory scenes matching the dark, brutal character of Shakespeare work.

Written for exceptional singers, Il Trovatore has remained popular ever since its first performance at the Teatro Apollo in Rome on January 19, 1853, when even the toughest critics were convinced of its place in the repertoire. People are attracted to Il Trovatore because of its rousing melodies, its brutal, powerful plot, and its simple structure: elements tha tmake it one of the best examples of Verdi's theatre pieces. Recorded live at the Sferisterio theatre of Macerata in the summer of 2016, under conductor Daniel Oren's vibrant and incisive direction, this production boasts a first-rate cast and elegant direction from Francisco Negrin. The sets and costumes by Louis Desire and lightning by Bruno Poet were well received by the Sferisterio audience.

Paganini, N.: Centone Di Sonate for Violin and Guitar, Vol.

Norma is considered not only Bellini’s masterpiece, but also one of the best 19th century operas tout court. Yet, its premiere at La Scala in 1831, three months from the beginning of its composition, was received with a coldness that surprised even Bellini. However, in the space of a few days Norma dispelled all doubts and started on a triumphant journey. This production was recorded at the Macerata Opera Festival, and features a superb cast. It was a particularly great success for Uruguayan soprano Maria Jose Siri, who performs the title role, and Italian mezzo Sonia Ganassi who is Adalgisa. “A perfect synthesis of cast, direction, sets, lighting, and costumes,” according to Italian critics. The aria “Casta diva” received a standing ovation.

This world premiere recording of Giovanni Legrenzi's oratory Il Sedec+�a marks Dynamic's 3rd recording with Oficina Musicum Ensemble.

Born in Rome, composer Silvia Colasanti studied at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia and at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Her works are now performed in the most important concert halls in the world. Recent awards include the European Composer Award from the Berlin Konzerthaus and the "Cavaliere della Repubblica" given by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and in 2017 she was appointed "Ufficiale della Repubblica by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. This release features a modern Requiem written by Colasanti for the victims of the earthquake in central Italy in 2016. This is the world premiere recording of the world premiere performance, which took place at the Festival di Spoleto in the Summer of 2017.

Milan's La Scala theatre as told by the protagonists of it's golden years. Enzo Biagi was one of Italy's most famous and beloved journalists. His fondness for the prestigious Milanese venue led to the programs Dynamic are now presenting on DVD, made in 1981/82. Documenting the La Scala productions of those years, Biagi entered the theatre during the rehearsals and interviewed the protagonists (conductors, singers and directors), not only the figures of those days but also the great stars of the past. A series originally produced on 16 mm film, now restored and offered to the public at large. Among the interesting and exciting content on offer on Vol. 2 are interviews with Riccardo Muti and Giorgio Strehler; a talk full of reminiscences with Giulietta Simionato; footage of Renata Tebaldi; and Mr. Biagi meets one of the great stars of La Scala's ballet dancers, Luciana Savignano.

Salvatore Accardo is considered to be one of today's most celebrated violinists. Dynamic is happy to feature a series of DVDs proposing the master classes held by Salvatore Accardo in Cremona at the famous Walter Stauffer Musicology Centre in 2011. These classes are dedicated to the most famous pieces of the violin repertoire (both chamber and virtuosic music).

Starring Gian Luca Pasolini, Jos� Maria Lo Monaco, Dimitra Theodossiou.

It is difficult to talk of Alberto Zedda in the past tense. Zedda was a person of such enthusiasm that it immediately rubbed off on all those who approached him. In addition to being an excellent conductor, he was an organizer of cultural events, a highly-efficient manager, full of ideas, who put at the service of music his omnivorous culture. For Dynamic Alberto Zedda recorded live Rossini’s Otello, Semiramide and Armida. Partially written in 1831 and only completed at the end of 1841, Rossini’s Stabat Mater was premiered in Paris, at the Theatre Italien, on January 7, 1842, delivered by fine soloists: Giulia Grisi, Emma Albertazzi, Mario de Candia and Antonio Tamburini. It has always been the composer’s best-known and most popular sacred work, because of the power of its dramatic contrasts and beautiful melodies, which make of it one of the masterpieces of Italian 19th-century sacred music, worthy of a place beside Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.

This release is a new volume of the series "Great violins." Each volume of this series traces the life of a famous string instrument: its history, photographs and recorded sound through the years and the artists who have owned it. The publication includes a panoramic view of the instrument with detailed color pictures, and a full-size poster, as well as a recent digital recording to appreciate fully its current tone-color qualities. The Stradivari violin featured here is the marvelous "Marechal Berthier 1716", owned by Napoleon Bonaparte who gave it to Alexandre Berthier, Marshal of France and Prince of Neuchatel and Wagram. Pavel Berman is the chosen artist that is heard on this release as he performs works by Bach, Beethoven, Paganini, Brahms, Ysaye, and De Sarasate.

Lalo: Le Roi d'Ys

A rare and very interesting work composed exactly in the middle of the 19th century, Crispino e la comare is one of the last examples of Italian traditional opera buffa. Composed by Neapoltan brothers Luigi and Federico Ricci, the opera quickly gained popularity in Italy but also appreciated abroad, where it was performed, between 1854 and 1871, in Constantinople, Barcelona, Malta, London, C�diz, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, New York, Warsaw, New Orleans, Mexico City, Li�ge, Brussels, Lisbon, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Santiago de Chile, Baden Baden, Berlin, Calcutta and Melbourne: virtually a planetary success. The protagonist's role is one of the great bass roles of 19th-century opera buffa, requiring an interpreter equally versed in acting and singing (as is this production's Domenico Colaianni). A production of Martina Franca Festival, Italy 2013

MONTEVERDI: Vesperae de Confessore