Adriana Lecouvreur) - Amazon.com Exclusive

Starring:Joan Sutherland, Anson Austin, Heather Begg, Gregory Yurisich, Gordon Wilcock, Marie-Claire, David Collins-White, Neil Kirkby, Lindsay Gaffney, David Lemke, Joanna Cole (IV), Kerry Elizabeth Brown, Genevieve Killalea, Sergei Baigildin, Marjory McKay (II), Jennifer Bermingham, Neville Wilkie, David Hibbard, Stephen Bennett (II)
Director: Peter Butler (IV), Virginia Lumsden, Brian Large
Studio: Kultur
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
La Fille Du Regiment
Joan Sutherland's legendary performance in the Opera Australia production of Donizetti's masterpiece of operatic comedy. "La Fille Du Regiment" seems to burst over with Gallic wit and charm. It tells a atale of young love-frustrated, then victorious-and gave the composer Donizetti ample chances to write military rhythms, pastoral mood music and passionate love exchanges, as well as to create a role that any prima donna with a sense of humor and a lot of technique would fight to perform. The story centers on the waif Marie, who is adopted by a French army regiment, falls in love with a Tyrolean youth called Tonia, but is carried off to live with the Marquise of Berkenfield who plans to turn her into a genteel lady and marry her to an aristocrat. But at the final curtain the Marquise (who turns out to be her long lost mother) relents and lets her wed Tonio. Also starring Anson Austin, Gregory Yurisich, Heather Begg, Gordon Wilcock, and Marie-Claire. Richard Bonynge conducts the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra, and the Australian Opera Chorus.

Les Huguenots
In tradition of grand opera, Dame Joan Sutherland's farewell perfromance to the operatic stage in Les Huguenots is a gala triumph of spectacle and drama. This technically complex production captures the tragedy of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, as well as the splendor and romance of 16th century France. Sutherland's glorious soprano voice is just one of the many brilliant highlights of this acclaimed performance, a revival of director Loft Mansouri's highly praised 1981 production. Often referred to as "The Night of the Seven Stars," Les Huguenots is a demanding production that requires the presence of seven major talents to sing the lead roles. For this reason, it is not often performed, but it is a most fitting end to the career of "La Stupenda," one of opera's brightest stars.

Lucrezia Borgia
Dame Joan Sutherland and tenor Alfredo Kraus star in Donizetti's tale of sixteenth century opulence and decadence. This Royal Opera production showcases Joan Sutherland's incomparable coloratura technique. Bel canto specialist Richard Bonynge conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in this historic performance.

The Merry Widow
Joan Sutherland sparkles in the lead role of Lehar's delightful operetta in this Opera Australia production from the Sydney Opera House. Turn of the century Paris provides the glittering setting for this operetta, first performed in Vienna in 1905 and here given by the Australian Opera in the English version by Christopher Hassall, with Sutherland as widow Anna Glawari. The face of Pontevedro, her native country, hangs perilously on her marriage plans - if she weds a foreigner, the state will lose the benefit of her enormous wealth and will be left bankrupt. An Embassy plot to marry her off to the debonair Count Danilo Danilovitch is complicated by the secret affair which has developed between the French Attache, Camille de Rosillon and the Ambassador's wife, Valencienne. This light hearted tale of political and amorous intrigue unfolds amidst the gaiety of Parisian high society. Ronald Stevens sings Danilo, with Anson Austin as Camille and Anne Maree McDonald as Valencienne. The Elizabethan Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Richard Bonynge.

Dialogues of the Carmelites
Poulenc's only full-length opera is firmly rooted in the post World War II era. Based on the historical events of the time of the French Revolution, this story of a community of Carmelite nuns who go to the guillotine rather than renounce their calling can be received in many ways. Poulenc's warmly melodic and lyrical score is wholly dramatic and gripping, and Joan Sutherland, recreating the role she sang at the opera's British premiere in 1958, sings the second prioress with commanding moderation. This production serves the inspiration of Poulenc in every important particular of style, economy and theatrical force. Richard Bonynge conducts the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra. Sung in English.

Description

La Fille Du Regiment
Joan Sutherland's legendary performance in the Opera Australia production of Donizetti's masterpiece of operatic comedy. "La Fille Du Regiment" seems to burst over with Gallic wit and charm. It tells a atale of young love-frustrated, then victorious-and gave the composer Donizetti ample chances to write military rhythms, pastoral mood music and passionate love exchanges, as well as to create a role that any prima donna with a sense of humor and a lot of technique would fight to perform. The story centers on the waif Marie, who is adopted by a French army regiment, falls in love with a Tyrolean youth called Tonia, but is carried off to live with the Marquise of Berkenfield who plans to turn her into a genteel lady and marry her to an aristocrat. But at the final curtain the Marquise (who turns out to be her long lost mother) relents and lets her wed Tonio. Also starring Anson Austin, Gregory Yurisich, Heather Begg, Gordon Wilcock, and Marie-Claire. Richard Bonynge conducts the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra, and the Australian Opera Chorus.

Les Huguenots
In tradition of grand opera, Dame Joan Sutherland's farewell perfromance to the operatic stage in Les Huguenots is a gala triumph of spectacle and drama. This technically complex production captures the tragedy of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, as well as the splendor and romance of 16th century France. Sutherland's glorious soprano voice is just one of the many brilliant highlights of this acclaimed performance, a revival of director Loft Mansouri's highly praised 1981 production. Often referred to as "The Night of the Seven Stars," Les Huguenots is a demanding production that requires the presence of seven major talents to sing the lead roles. For this reason, it is not often performed, but it is a most fitting end to the career of "La Stupenda," one of opera's brightest stars.

Lucrezia Borgia
Dame Joan Sutherland and tenor Alfredo Kraus star in Donizetti's tale of sixteenth century opulence and decadence. This Royal Opera production showcases Joan Sutherland's incomparable coloratura technique. Bel canto specialist Richard Bonynge conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in this historic performance.

The Merry Widow
Joan Sutherland sparkles in the lead role of Lehar's delightful operetta in this Opera Australia production from the Sydney Opera House. Turn of the century Paris provides the glittering setting for this operetta, first performed in Vienna in 1905 and here given by the Australian Opera in the English version by Christopher Hassall, with Sutherland as widow Anna Glawari. The face of Pontevedro, her native country, hangs perilously on her marriage plans - if she weds a foreigner, the state will lose the benefit of her enormous wealth and will be left bankrupt. An Embassy plot to marry her off to the debonair Count Danilo Danilovitch is complicated by the secret affair which has developed between the French Attache, Camille de Rosillon and the Ambassador's wife, Valencienne. This light hearted tale of political and amorous intrigue unfolds amidst the gaiety of Parisian high society. Ronald Stevens sings Danilo, with Anson Austin as Camille and Anne Maree McDonald as Valencienne. The Elizabethan Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Richard Bonynge.

Dialogues of the Carmelites
Poulenc's only full-length opera is firmly rooted in the post World War II era. Based on the historical events of the time of the French Revolution, this story of a community of Carmelite nuns who go to the guillotine rather than renounce their calling can be received in many ways. Poulenc's warmly melodic and lyrical score is wholly dramatic and gripping, and Joan Sutherland, recreating the role she sang at the opera's British premiere in 1958, sings the second prioress with commanding moderation. This production serves the inspiration of Poulenc in every important particular of style, economy and theatrical force. Richard Bonynge conducts the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra. Sung in English.

Adriana Lecouvreur
Cilea's romantic opera, based on the story of the renowned French actress Adrienne, is given here in a live recording of a lavish production by John Copley, which features the great Dame Joan Sutherland. Her luminous singing and dramatic power are finely matched by a strong cast, including Austin Anson, Heather Begg and John Shaw. The innate lyricism of the score is beautifully captured by conductor Richard Bonynge and enhanced by sets and costumes recalling the late nineteenth century.

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