When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it's a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thais, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.
When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it's a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thais, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.
John Adams's mesmerizing score, in the powerful production of Penny Woolcock, tells the story of one of the pivotal moments in human history-the creation of the atomic bomb. Conducted by Alan Gilbert in his Met debut, this gripping opera presents the human face of the scientists, military men, and others who were involved in the project, as they wrestled with the implications of their work. Baritone Gerald Finley gives a powerful star turn in the title role as the brilliant J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Soprano Anna Netrebko took New York by storm when she performed the role of the fragile Puritan maiden Elvira. Her daring take on the heroine's famous mad scene earned her rapturous standing ovations from sold-out houses night after night. Overflowing with ravishing arias and ensembles, this bel canto gem also stars Eric Cutler as Elvira's love Arturo, Franco Vassallo as her suitor Riccardo, and John Relyea as her uncle Giorgio.
Bellini: La Sonnambula ($4.99 for 72 hours rental)
Just as a young woman is about to marry her sweetheart, she is discovered-by the entire village, to say nothing of her fiancé-asleep in the bedroom of a stranger. It takes the young man two acts to figure out that sleepwalking is to blame, and everything ends happily. Natalie Dessay as Amina and Juan Diego Flórez as Elvino deliver bel canto magic and vocal fireworks in Mary Zimmerman's 2009 production. The Tony award-winning director transfers Bellini's bucolic tale to a rehearsal room in contemporary New York, where an opera company rehearses La Sonnambula-and where the singers are truly in love with each other.
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust ($4.99 for 72 hours rental)
Conducted by James Levine, Robert Lepage's stunning production-with its brilliant marriage of art and technology-thrilled HD audiences around the world. In Berlioz's rarely performed vision of the immortal Faust legend, Marcello Giordani is a fiery title hero whose impulsive bargain with Méphistophélès (a commanding John Relyea) proves fatal. Susan Graham is a lovely and tragic Marguerite, the woman who gives everything to the man she loves.
Anthony Dean Griffey creates a haunting portrait of the outcast fisherman who struggles under the burden of presumed guilt. This chilling production by Tony Award-winning director John Doyle also features the superb Patricia Racette as the sympathetic Ellen Orford and the Met chorus in a truly hair-raising performance as the oppressively judgmental fishing village.
The recording of a glittering open-air gala of Romantic classics presents an evening of truly unforgettable entertainment, with two of opera's most exciting vocal talents singing a programme of solos.
Dur: 01:42:24
Diana Krall Live in Paris
Diana Krall Live in Paris ($1.99 for 99 hours rental)
Recorded live at the Paris Olympia to a sell out audience, the captivating voice of Diana Krall delivers a sensual collection of romantic ballads and bossa novas.
Donizetti: La Fille du Regiment (the Met) ($4.99 for 72 hours rental)
Madcap physical comedy and impeccable coloratura come together for Natalie Dessay's indelible portrayal of the feisty tomboy raised by a regiment of French soldiers. Juan Diego Flórez is the young Swiss villager who conquers her heart-and a slew of high Cs. Also featuring uproarious performances by Felicity Palmer and Alessandro Corbelli, as well as a cameo by Tony Award winner Marian Seldes, this laugh-out-loud production was a runaway hit that left audiences exhilarated.
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor ($4.99 for 72 hours rental)
Star Soprano Anna Netrebko plays Donizetti's hapless heroine in this production by Mary Zimmerman that updates the events to the 19th Century. Rising young tenor sensation Piotr Beczala is Edgardo and Mariusz Kwiecien plays Lucia's brother Enrico whose brutal authority forces her to deny her heart and many for the sake of her family. (Eng. Subtitiles)
Giselle - Dutch National Ballet ($4.99 for 99 hours rental)
This new Dutch National Ballet production is by Rachel Beaujean, a former ballerina from the Dutch National Ballet, and Ricardo Bustamante, formerly principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet. They have based their production on the original version, but have added new sections and brought a new slant to the ballet.
Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice ($4.99 for 72 hours rental)
This complete vision for Gluck, with choreography by Morris and costumes by Isaac Mizrahi, features the artistry of Stephanie Blythe in the title role. The alluring Danielle de Niese is Orfeo's adored wife, Euridice, who inspires the hero to face the underworld for her sake.
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