CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

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Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) -- Glyndebourne [1994]

starring: Gerald Finley, Alison Hagley, Renée Fleming, Andreas Schmidt, Mandred Röhrl
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date October 25, 1999
If it were not for the poor sound quality, this would be five stars; but in the modern age, there is an expectation that a DVD should produce quality sound and this does not. This opera is one of the greatest artistic achievements in the world ever; the music is simply stunning; its ecstatic music that makes one rejoice in simply being.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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Othello

starring: Eamonn Walker, Tim McInnerny
directed by: Wilson Milam, Derek Bailey

Release Date September 27, 2007
If it were not for the poor sound quality, this would be five stars; but in the modern age, there is an expectation that a DVD should produce quality sound and this does not. This opera is one of the greatest artistic achievements in the world ever; the music is simply stunning; its ecstatic music that makes one rejoice in simply being.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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La Bayadere

starring: Altyani Asylmuratova, Darcey Bussell, Anthony Dowell, Irek Mukhamedov, The Royal Ballet
directed by: Natalya Makarova, Derek Bailey

Release Date August 28, 2006
Let me start with the only negative thing I have to say-Its filmed in 4:3,mind you my TV allows me to pick 4or5 different screen modes,play this set at 14:9 and its perfect.On this DVD you will find 2 of the most sensational dancers ever,Altynai Asylmuratova and Darcey Bussell,so you just know its going to be good,and it is.From the very opening scene in Act 1 til the destruction of the temple in Act 3 I thought it to be as close to perfection as you're liable to get,and I include the entire cast in that.The sets were good as were the costumes,the music of Ludwig Minkus does not require any praise from me as I could not do it justice.Someone has said this Ballet is not one of the first to spring to mind-THATS TRUE-but I think it should be up there ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Salome [1992]

starring: Maria Ewing, Michael Devlin, Kenneth Riegel, Gillian Knight, Robin Leggate
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date September 09, 2002
This is a wonderful recording that captures the shamefully short-lived Peter Hall production at Covent Garden, featuring his then-wife Maria Ewing in the title role. This is Covent Garden at its best - the production is sumptuously and stylishly designed, steeped in great decadence - the colours zing out from the screen in excellent lighting and camera work. The supporting cast are all fabulous, Kenneth Riegel giving a particularly vivid Herod, Michael Devlin is a powerful but dignified Jokanaan. The orchestra has an air of improvised energy skillfully guided by Edward Downes. But as with any production of Salome, the central role is the key to its success. Here Maria Ewing brings a disturbing edge to the Princess, absolutely obsessed with the Baptist - you ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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Verdi: La Traviata -- Venice [1992]

starring: Edita Gruberova, Neil Shicoff, Giorgio Zancanaro, Mariana Pentcheva, Antonella Trevisan
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date April 10, 2000
La Traviata. This is truly a beautiful production of Verdi's ever popular Traviata. It is light airy and lively at the start and gradually takes on the tempo of the unfolding tragedy. The settings are superb and catch the changing mood of the opera right through to the heartrending climax. I am very conscious that we all have our favourite Alfredo, however, one could search far and wide to find a more satisfying performance than this from Neil Shicoff. He gave a beautifully sensitive portrayal of the shy lover, he made full use of his talents. His sincerity as an actor/singer is as always unquestioned. His "Un di felice" in Act 1 and "Lunge da lei" to open Act2 were truly moments to remember. Edita Gruberova was a very sound Violetta. Although ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

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Benjamin Britten - Gloriana [1984]

starring: Alan Opie, Jean Rigby, Richard van Allan, Elizabeth Vaughan, Sarah Walker
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date October 02, 2006
La Traviata. This is truly a beautiful production of Verdi's ever popular Traviata. It is light airy and lively at the start and gradually takes on the tempo of the unfolding tragedy. The settings are superb and catch the changing mood of the opera right through to the heartrending climax. I am very conscious that we all have our favourite Alfredo, however, one could search far and wide to find a more satisfying performance than this from Neil Shicoff. He gave a beautifully sensitive portrayal of the shy lover, he made full use of his talents. His sincerity as an actor/singer is as always unquestioned. His "Un di felice" in Act 1 and "Lunge da lei" to open Act2 were truly moments to remember. Edita Gruberova was a very sound Violetta. Although ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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Salome [1992] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

starring: Maria Ewing, Michael Devlin, Kenneth Riegel, Gillian Knight, Robin Leggate
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date November 20, 2001
This is a wonderful recording that captures the shamefully short-lived Peter Hall production at Covent Garden, featuring his then-wife Maria Ewing in the title role. This is Covent Garden at its best - the production is sumptuously and stylishly designed, steeped in great decadence - the colours zing out from the screen in excellent lighting and camera work. The supporting cast are all fabulous, Kenneth Riegel giving a particularly vivid Herod, Michael Devlin is a powerful but dignified Jokanaan. The orchestra has an air of improvised energy skillfully guided by Edward Downes. But as with any production of Salome, the central role is the key to its success. Here Maria Ewing brings a disturbing edge to the Princess, absolutely obsessed with the Baptist - you can understand ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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The Nutcracker [1994]

starring: The Birmingham Royal Ballet, Irek Mukhamedov, Miyako Yoshida
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date January 21, 2002
This production is wonderfully lavish and an absolute delight. The somewhat sketchy story of The Nutcracker is here refined to
a magical tale which makes sense. Tchaikovsky's score is wonderful, his best in my opinion, and is here played with fantastic clarity.
The opening tableau is a wonderful party which you will probably wish you could step right into. The sets and costumes are sumptous without being overly ostentatious. The "dances from many lands" are delightful; no one can fail to smile at the joyous fun of the Russian Dance.
In all it's just super. I could say so much, I have seen the production live ten times and reliving it with this DVD is grand fun.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Kat'a Kabanova [1988] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

starring: Barry McCauley, Felicity Palmer, Ryland Davies, Nancy Gustafson, John Graham-Hall
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date March 26, 2002
This production is wonderfully lavish and an absolute delight. The somewhat sketchy story of The Nutcracker is here refined to
a magical tale which makes sense. Tchaikovsky's score is wonderful, his best in my opinion, and is here played with fantastic clarity.
The opening tableau is a wonderful party which you will probably wish you could step right into. The sets and costumes are sumptous without being overly ostentatious. The "dances from many lands" are delightful; no one can fail to smile at the joyous fun of the Russian Dance.
In all it's just super. I could say so much, I have seen the production live ten times and reliving it with this DVD is grand fun.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Cox And Box / Trial By Jury [1982]

starring: Frankie Howerd, Kate Flowers, Ryland Davies, Anne Dawson, Tom McDonnell
directed by: Derek Bailey

Release Date August 29, 1994
This production is wonderfully lavish and an absolute delight. The somewhat sketchy story of The Nutcracker is here refined to
a magical tale which makes sense. Tchaikovsky's score is wonderful, his best in my opinion, and is here played with fantastic clarity.
The opening tableau is a wonderful party which you will probably wish you could step right into. The sets and costumes are sumptous without being overly ostentatious. The "dances from many lands" are delightful; no one can fail to smile at the joyous fun of the Russian Dance.
In all it's just super. I could say so much, I have seen the production live ten times and reliving it with this DVD is grand fun.