Monteverdi is generally regarded as the father of European opera. His "Poppea" is a blood and thunder melodrama, set in Nero's Rome and loaded with passion, jealousy, murder and savage ambition.

Based on Beaumarchais' comedy "Le Mariage de Figaro" , Le Nozze di Figaro is a sequel to his earlier play "Le Barbier de Seville ", adapted by Rossini. The production is sung in the original Italian.

The principal conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, performs music by J. S. Bach. Together with the marvelous Berlin orchestra, the conductor takes on Bach's splendid St John's Passion. The solo voice parts are sung by the…

Rossini's popular work - which was first performed in 1816 at the Teatro Argentina in Rome - contains some of opera's most tuneful and recognizable music - from its lively overture to Figaro's Largo al factotum to Rosina's Una voce poco fa. Based on…

Erich Leinsdorf, the American conductor from Vienna, begann his career as Bruno Walter's and Arturo Toscanini's assistant at the Salzburg Festival, débuting with tremendous success at the New York's renowned Metropolitan Opera House at the tender age…

German Brass, one of the most renowned brass ensembles plays their own Bach arrangements for brass players in the Church of St Thomas in Leipzig.

Recorded in the Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin in 1992.

Recorded in the Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin in 1992.

Recorded in the Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin in 1992.

Recorded in the Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin in 1992.