La Boheme
Madrid's legendary Teatro Real staged this production of Giacomo Puccini's seminal opera La Bohème, starring Inva Mula, Aquiles Machado and Jesús López Cobos in the principal roles. Giancarlo del Monaco directed for the stage, Michael Scott designed the sets and costumes, and The Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real provide musical accompaniment.
Giancarlo Del Monaco
Giuseppe Giacosa
Henri Murger
Luigi Illica
Robin Lough
Marco Carniti
Casts & Crew
Felipe Bou
Fabio Maria Capitanucci
Gonzalo Fernández de Terán
Federico Gallar
Laura Giordano
Aquiles Machado
Alfredo Mariotti
Juan Tomás Martínez
David Menéndez
Inva Mula
Also Directed by Giancarlo Del Monaco
This excellent Deutsche Grammophon Blu-ray DVD was made during a Metropolitan Opera company performance of “La Fanciulla del West” in December 2010. The performance marked the centenary of the world premiere of the opera at the old Metropolitan Opera in 1910 with Caruso as Ramirrez or Dick Johnson, Emmy Destinn as Minnie, Pasquale Amato as Jack Rance and Arturo Toscanini as the conductor. Puccini helped in the production of the opera and was present in the audience on the night of the premiere.
Broadcast directly from the Teatro de la Zarzuela on October 17, 2020.
Giancarlo del Monaco's acclaimed new production elegantly intertwines Mascagni's and Leoncavallo's well-loved operas, masterpieces which brought new levels of realism into opera through their so-called verismo style.
This evocative production by Giancarlo Del Monaco sumptuously captures the look and feel of 14th century Genoa and is a perfect compliment to Verdi’s setting of this story of searing conflict between public duty and private grief. Plácido Domingo is Gabriele Adorno, sworn enemy of the doge of Genoa, Simon Boccanegra (Vladimir Chernov). Gabriele is in love with the beautiful Amelia (Kiri Te Kanawa at her most affecting) who turns out to be none other than the long-lost daughter the doge. James Levine’s authoritative conducting of the Met orchestra and chorus reveals the dark power of Verdi’s score. Performed January 26th, 1995.
La vida breve, an Andalusian opera in two acts written by Manuel de Falla on a libretto by Carlos Fernández Shaw, staged by Giancarlo del Monaco at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, in Valencia.
Giancarlo Del Monaco's passionate and intelligent production of Jacques Offenbach's magnum opus creates a climactic kaleidoscope of deep and convincing emotions. A highly credible incarnation of the pitiable Kleinzach he sings about, Aquiles Machado is the poet who loses his romantic idealism, his reflection and finally his soul to a 'trio of charming enchantresses'.
Also Directed by Robin Lough
Rolando Villazón Triumphantly Returns To The Stage As Don Carlo In The 2007/2008 Royal Opera House'S Producton Of Don Carlo. National Theatre director Nicholas Hytner's new staging of Verdi's grandest-- and arguably greatest -- opera, Don Carlo, was the highlight of the 2007/2008 Royal Opera House season. This new production marked Rolando Villazón's much anticipated and triumphant return. Set amidst the political, religious and sexual intrigue of the 16th century Spanish court, this epic work tells the tragic story of Don Carlo, a virtuous young prince who is pitted against the powers of a dominant, corrupt society. First staged at The Royal Opera House in 1886, this new production is the first new version of the 5-Act complete opera to be staged at Covent Garden in 50 years. With sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, direction by Nicholas Hytner, and an enviable cast, this production of Don Carlo is worthy of the greatness of Verdi's original, masterful work.
Bad Girls The Musical is an original British musical based on characters from the award winning and hugely popular television drama Bad Girls. Set in the fictional HMP Larkhall, it's the story of new idealistic Wing Governor Helen Stewart and her battles with the entrenched old guard of Officer Jim Fenner and his sidekick Sylvia Hollamby. It also follows the love story that develops between Helen and charismatic inmate Nikki Wade. Other featured characters include Shell Dockley and her runner Denny Blood, old-timer Noreen Biggs, The Two Julies and the ultimate Top Dog, King-of-Gangland's missus, Yvonne Atkins. A tragic death on the wing - in which Jim Fenner is implicated - leads to an angry protest from the women and forces Helen and Nikki to their opposite sides of the bars. But when it's clear that Helen stands to lose her job over Fenner's misdeeds, the race is on for the women to nail him once and for all.
Sheila and Bri share their struggles as they raise a severely handicapped daughter in this recorded performance of the play by Peter Nicholls. Broadcast on BBC4 in 2002.
Donizetti's L'Elisir d'amore in a colorful version signed Annabel Arden. A pastoral romance between Adina, the rich and gorgeous landowner, and Nemorino, a simple peasant, L'Elisir d'amore sets Tristan and Iseult's love potion at the center of the action. With Ekaterina Siurina, Peter Auty, Alfredo Daza, Luciano Di Pasquale and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Maurizio Benini's baton. Revival of production first performed 12 October 2007. This recording is of performances 12/15 August 2009.
David McVicar's spectacular production of Charles Gounod’s Faust, featuring a divine cast of opera’s superstars: Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside and Sophie Koch – recorded at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on 19 June 2004.
New peoduction, 2009. Filmed by the Royal Opera House in co-production with Opus Arte, June 13/17.
The popular Arnold Wesker play filmed at the Bristol Old Vic.
William Shakespeare's play as performed by the Barbican Theater in 1999.
Recorded and filmed live at The Donmar Warehouse, London, August 31 and September 1, 2000. The Tony winner's concert was recorded live at the intimate London theatre, was also preserved on CD, which was nominated for a Grammy Award earlier this year and received a MAC Award nomination for Female Artist Recording of the Year. Although the CD only contained highlights from Buckley's performance, the video boasts the entire, full-length concert.
David McVicar’s production of Giulio Cesare manages to combine serious insight with entertainment, bringing Handel's masterpiece to life in a powerful, convincing and highly intelligent way. ln every line of the complex narrative the subtle nuances are apparent, reflecting perfectly the transparent and exquisite nature of Handel's musical expression. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound, the outstanding singing of the all-star cast, led superbly by Sarah Connolly, and the vivid playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the energising baton of William Christie reveal the colour and dramatic character of Handel’s music in a most delightful manner.
Also Directed by Marco Carniti
A look at life through the lens of sexuality, in a world that has lost its soul and the ability to love. Ten stories of ten protagonists (from 20-45 years old) who live in a metropolis, not necessarily identifiable, in search of the meaning of their own existence. A bitter comedy that combines comic and paradoxical elements with the cruelty of everyday life. A whirl of encounters, sex, illness, drugs, loneliness and pain.
Joaquín Gaztambide’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was first performed at the Teatro del Circo in 1852. Participating in the revival of this comic opera are Miguel Ángel Gómez-Martínez, the veteran musical director, who considers Gaztambide to be “interesting, enjoyable and the holder of an extraordinary musical quality”, and Marco Carniti, the stage director, who wants to make us enjoy the beauty of a work which cheerfully veers between dream and reality. The libretto has been completely revamped and the action moved to Rome in the 1950s. Broadcast live from the Teatro de la Zarzuela on February 10th, 2019.