The spotlight falls on Gaetano Donizetti for this month’s two audiovisual releases, which occupy polar opposites of the emotional spectrum. From the Dynamic label, we have his tragic opera Lucie de Lammermoor, which was the reworking for a French audience of his Lucia di Lammermoor, premiered in Naples a few years earlier. Soprano Caterina Sala dazzles in the title role for this new co-production by the Fondazione Teatro Donizetti and Fondazione Teatro Comunale di Bologna. From London’s Royal Opera, the Opus Arte label has captured a fizzing performance of Donizetti’s comic opera L’elisire d’amore, which was rapturously received by the critics: ‘With the great Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel superbly funny as Dulcamara, the entire show is a glorious comedy from start to finish.’ ★★★★★ (The Daily Express)
![DONIZETTI, G.: Lucie de Lammermoor [Opera] (Fondazione Teatro Donizetti, 2023) (NTSC)](../../../sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/DYN-38030.jpg "DONIZETTI, G.: Lucie de Lammermoor [Opera] (Fondazione Teatro Donizetti, 2023) (NTSC)")
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
Lucie de Lammermoor
Opéra en trois actes – Libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz
Vito Priante • Patrick Kabongo • Caterina SalaOrchestra Gli Originali • Coro dell’Accademia Teatro alla Scala
Pierre Dumoussaud, Conductor • Jacopo Spirei, Director
In 1835 Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor made its triumphant debut at the San Carlo in Naples. For its Parisian appearance four years later as Lucie de Lammermoor, the composer went much further than merely Gallicising the heroine’s first name, he subjected the opera to a condensation in which Lucie became the only woman in the entire cast. Donizetti’s orchestration remains largely the same but the French influence is audible in new recitatives. This later version is no surrogate or mere abridgement, but, perhaps because of its greater concision, is more brutal and emotional than the original.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (DYN-58030)
![DONIZETTI, G.: Elisir d'amore (L') [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2023) (NTSC)](../../../sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/OA1385D.jpg "DONIZETTI, G.: Elisir d'amore (L') [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2023) (NTSC)")
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
L’Elisir d’amore
Nadine Sierra • Liparit Avetisyan • Bryn TerfelBoris Pinkhasovich • Sarah Dufresne
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House • Royal Opera Chorus
Sesto Quatrini, Conductor • Laurent Pelly, Director
Country boy Nemorino is determined to win the haughty Adina’s heart, but she refuses to give him the time of day. Can Doctor Dulcamara’s so-called ‘elixir of love’ work its magic?
Conductor Sesto Quatrini makes his house debut, as does soprano Nadine Sierra in the role of Adina. She is joined by Liparit Avetisyan, Boris Pinkhasovich and the incomparable Bryn Terfel as the genial wheeler-dealer Doctor Dulcamara.
Also available on Blu-ray Video (OABD7323D)
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.
![HAMPSON, Christopher / DARRELL, Peter: Secret Theatre (The) [Ballet] (Scottish Ballet, 2020) (NTSC)](../../../sharedfiles/images/naxos-images/2024/sep/OA1367D_CC.jpg "HAMPSON, Christopher / DARRELL, Peter: Secret Theatre (The) [Ballet] (Scottish Ballet, 2020) (NTSC)")
The Secret Theatre
A Christmas Special
Scottish Ballet OrchestraGavin Sutherland, Jean-Claude Picard, Conductors
Christopher Hampson, Peter Darrell, Creative Directors
In a deserted city, a young boy stumbles into a theatre. He wanders through the auditorium, where rows of velvet chairs, draping curtains and chandeliers seem to lie in lonely wait for audiences to return. The theatre may be empty, but the show will go on…
Starring characters from Scottish Ballet’s most popular festive ballets, the worlds of the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy collide when the theatre bursts into life. In this spectacular, hour-long film, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary show filled with acrobats, snowflakes, clowns, princes and – of course – beautiful ballerinas.
The Secret Theatre features the choreography of Scottish Ballet founder Peter Darrell and CEO/Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, co-directed for the screen by Jess and Morgs. With set and costumes designed by Lez Brotherston, music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky recorded live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, new additional composition by Frank Moon, and performances from the full Scottish Ballet Company, this Christmas special is an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.