This comprehensive 3 DVD set, starring Anton Lesser, Daniel Radcliffe, Ian McKellan, Maggie Smith, explores the life, times and work of Charles Dickens, the great Victoria author. The full content of this box set demonstrates how much Dickens drew upon his own experiences when writing fiction. DVD 1 - Uncovering the Real Dickens - the great author's fascinating biography, presented by Peter Ackroyd is an innovative mix of documentary and dramatic reconstruction which vividly portrays his extraordinary life. Resembling the plot of one of his novels, this lavish literary production sets out to blur the lines between Dickens' fiction and his own life. The cast includes Anton Lesser, Prunella Scales and Timothy West (176 minutes).DVD 2 - David Copperfield - the classic 1999 BBC version of the most autobiographical of Dickens novels staring a star cast Bob Hoskins, Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellan, Zoe Wanamaker and Nicolas Lyndurst. Three hours of classic BBC drama. (186 minutes). DVD 3 - a Christmas Carol - at his house, a group of friends and relatives listen to Dickens as he tells his Christmas story. Anton Lesser as Dickens, brings this classic ghost story to life in a masterly and haunting way. (97 minutes).

Starring Paul Agnew, Laurent Naouri, Barbara Bonney.

Cecilia Bartoli Sings Mozart & Haydn (Ntsc)

Ekaterina Siurina celebrates the song-writing talents of four great composers better known for their operas in a recital of flirtatious, passionate and grief-stricken lovers plighting their troths in Naples, Florence, Venice and elsewhere. Presenting the major singers of today and the stars of tomorrow, the Rosenblatt Recitals are London's only world-class season of opera recitals. 'People often say that the golden age of singing is dead. The Rosenblatt Recital Series is devoted to proving that bel canto - literally 'beautiful singing' in it's broadest sense - is very much alive!' -Ian Rosenblatt.

This DVD sampler features works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Lehar, Haydn, Bizet, Hildegard von Bingen, Johann Strauss, Verdi, Puccini, Berlioz, Elgar, Piazzolla, Schubert, Beethoven, Rossini, and more.

The singers perform with the London Philharmonic conducted by Myung-Whun Chung at Gleyndebourne Opera House, in works by Mozart, Rossini, Haydn, Donizetti, and Handel.

Chirstopher Purves, Tassis Christovannis, Dina Kuznetsova, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, and Adriana Kucerova star in this Glyndebourne production of the Verdi opera conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.

The Dresden Staatskapelle has a Bruckner tradition that stretches back more than a century and is now lovingly curated by it's new music director, Christian Thielemann - himself a powerful advocate for the composer's symphonies. The Seventh, whose Adagio was shaped by news of Wagner's death in Venice, is paired with songs of Hugo Wolf, who was also deeply affected by that news. Wolf's songs, can be seen as oblique reflections on the influence of Wagner, especially when sung, as they are here by Renee Fleming, with the utmost delicacy and intimacy.

Francesco Meli is acclaimed for his mellifluous tenor in the French and Italian bel canto repertoire celebrated on this recital disc with songs and arias from Rossini to Massenet. Complementing these are song cycles by Liszt and Britten setting poems by two great figures of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo and Petrarch. Presenting the major singers of today and the stars of tomorrow, the Rosenblatt Recitals are London's only world-class season of opera recitals. 'People often say that the golden age of singing is dead. The Rosenblatt Recital Series is devoted to proving that bel canto - literally 'beautiful singing' in it's broadest sense - is very much alive!' - Ian Rosenblatt.

Jan Philipp Gloger’s controversial Bayreuth production of Die Fliegende Holländer was greeted with huge acclaim. He translates the Dutchman’s tale of travail and redemption to a future where part-human/part-cyborgs grind out an existence in a world completely subservient to business and commerce. The production stars Samuel Youn, Ricarda Merbeth, and Franz-Josef Selig, and is conducted by Christian Thielemann. ‘‘…Mr. Youn…sings with dignity touched with anguish.’’ - The New York Times

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

“This set is essential” concluded Gramophone of the Ring cycle when this 2008 production was issued complete. Christian Thielemann leads a performance of masterful pacing and burning conviction that features detailed interpretations from many of today’s most experienced interpreters of their complex and glorious roles.

•This 2013 Royal Opera House staging of Gaetano Donizetti's Don Pasquale stars the great Italian baritone Alessandro Corbelli in title role, with Danielle de Niese as his reluctant wife. The London Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra is led by bel canto specialist Enrique Mazzola. Mariame Clément’s sensitive and perceptive production was hailed by theFinancial Times as ‘classic’. Bonus features include Behind The Curtain, Ms. de Niese introduction, Staging the Opera and cast gallery.

Ekaterina Siurina, Peter Auty, Alfredo Daza, Luciano Di Pasquale, and Eliana Pretorian star in this Glyndebourne production of the Donizetti opera with Maurizio Benini conducting the London Philharmonic.

The Pesaro Festival’s new offering in 2013 was an off-the-wall production of Rossini’s popular comedy, ‘The Italian Girl in Algiers’, presented as a Swinging Sixties, James Bond adventure, set in the desert oil fields of the North Africa. Davide Livermore’s gag-a-minute, helter-skelter romp followed an alarmingly life-like air-crash, which delivered the ‘Italian girl’ from Rome into the clutches of the local oil baron, Mustafa. All three lead singers (Alex Esposito as Mustafa, the high tenor Yijie Shi as the young lover Lindoro, and Anna Goryachova as the agile-voiced mezzo-soprano of the title role) were met with the audience’s roaring approval of the evening’s entertainment. ‘‘Italian bass Alex Esposito commanded our full attention as Mustafà…a spirited, charismatic actor of inextinguishable theatrical energy.’’ - Opera Today “Davide Livermore’s Rossini stagings are filled with wisdom and wit. Here again, he is sure handed.’’ - Seen and Heard International