The historical opera by Tchaikovsky is set in the events of the years at the turn of the 17th and 18th century when Peter I. became Tsar of Russia and Mazeppa, the leader of the Ukrainian cosacks. It is a story of Mazeppa's political power and…

Set in 1185, the opera tells the story of Prince Igor, ruler of the Russian city of Putivl, and his son, who want to subjugate the heathen Mongolian tribe of the Polovtsians. It is a spectacle of war, intrigue and love illustrated by impressive stage…

Deliberate confusion in 18th-century Seville which is entangled with three marriages blessed by the monks of the monastery. After performances at the famous 'Stars of the White Nights'Festival held in St. Petersburg and the 1991 - 92 festival…

This performance of the Staatsoper Suttgart was acclaimed by music critics as the "Performance of the Year 1998" in the German magazine "Opernwelt". This unusual production of Hans Neuenfels recreated a game with forms and appearances of the music…

A film about Georges Bizet and his ill-starred masterpiece. This film has two themes: first the substance and narrative of Bizet's perennially popular opera and second the story of its disastrous première, which had such a dramatic effect on Bizet…

When Pinchas Zukerman was twelve years old, it was already clear to Pablo Casals and Issac Stern that he might become one of the greatest violinists of all time. From this came the idea to make, for the first time ever, a film which deliberately sets…

1970 was the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth and, to mark the occasion, Daniel Barenboim and Christopher Nupen collaborated on a thirteen-part series about the man and his music. Close friends at the time, Barenboim as artist and…

The action of the opera takes place in Naples and tells the story of the cynical Don Alfonso who convinces the officers Ferrando and Guglielmo that no women can be trusted.

Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" is best loved for its memorable music and lively wit. The opera tells the story of the efforts of a Spanish nobleman to rescue his betrothed who is held captive against her will in a Turkish harem.

Glyndebourne's 1978 production of Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" received as much critical acclaim for the imaginative David Hockney sets as for the operatic performances. Hockney emphasised the magical and mystical qualities of one of Mozart's best…