CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Mozart - Die Zauberflote [Blu-ray]

starring: Simon Keenlyside, Dorothea Röschmann, Will Hartmann, Diana Damrau, Franz-Josef Selig

Release Date April 29, 2008
There is a clever juxtaposition of avant garde staging/theatrical setting with period subject material. The Queen of the Night is downright hot, not to mention the 3 maids. Pappageno stole the ovation! Although a small part, Pappagena is delightful. Regrettably, I don't know what to say about Tamino and Pamina but I'm sure they were great.

The singing is superbly articulate and the acting is second to none. Not just standing there singing with cheap backdrops! The orchestra is strong and the chorus powerful. The sets are meticulously done, eye catching but not distracting. The fire and water sequence is very creative. Its quite a production. Be sure to watch the ovations after it ends. The accolades are appropriately ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Keenlyside, Roschmann, Hartmann, Damrau, Selig, Allen, Sir Colin Davis, Covent Garden

starring: Mozart, Simon Keenlyside, Dorothea Roschmann, Diana Damrau, Thomas Allen
directed by: Sir Colin Davis, David McVicar

Release Date September 23, 2003
Sir Colin Davis has done it again! The genius has made another beautiful interpretation of the one of Mozart's final pieces. I may be biased since Die Zauberflote is my favorite opera, but this is a fantastic performance! The cast is magnificent, especially Diana Damaru as the Queen of the Night (my reason for the purchase). However Tamino and Pamina both give memorable performances. Papageno, however sticks out as one of the most memorable performances. He gives both humor and drama where needed, and has perfect control over all of his movements and voice.

Both the set and lighting design are stunning. The cinematography is tasteful, in that you see the production as both a movie and a staged opera (or Singspiel). I have no complaints ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Mozart - Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) [HD DVD]

starring: Simon Keenlyside, Dorothea Roschmann, Diana Damrau, Thomas Allen, Franz-Josef Selig
directed by: Sir Colin Davis, David McVicar

Release Date October 30, 2007
Sir Colin Davis has done it again! The genius has made another beautiful interpretation of the one of Mozart's final pieces. The cast is magnificent, especially Diana Damaru as the Queen of the Night (my reason for the purchase). Both the set and lighting design are stunning. The cinematography is tasteful, in that you see the production as both a movie and a staged opera (or Singspiel). I have no complaints at all about this dvd!

Excellent work!!!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 Resurrection [HD DVD]

starring: Diana Damrau, Petra Lang, Chor der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin
directed by: Michael Beyer

Release Date February 26, 2008
Euroarts has released a production that is arguably the best yet of this genre- but I would like to hear better. The soundtrack is delightful. TrueHD has finally been shown off here. You should be playing this performance back on a large surround-sound system at reference volume. The sound is as large as a concert hall, crystal clear without compression noise. It is so obvious how compressed DVD sound is inferior when you hear this.

The video is just as clear, with no grain, and the video production makes interesting use of many camera angles within the orchestra. You almost feel as if you are playing along with the orchestra- but not quite. This is my problem: While the camera work is dynamic, the sound field is static. The front microphones ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Mozart - Die Zauberflote

starring: Rene Pape, Diana Damrau, Paul Groves, Franz Grundheber, Christian Gerhaher
directed by: Pierre Audi

Release Date January 09, 2007
I've read so many bad reviews of the M/22 productions, I was totally surprised by this one. I loved it!!! The cast was super; the singing glorious! The special effects, colorful, modern art scenery and costumes were perfect for an otherworldly fantasy opera. I think this production would please Mozart!

I particularly enjoyed Genia Kuhmeier as Pamina and Diana Damrau as the Queen of the Night. I was not familiar with any of the cast except Paul Groves, whom I admire, and everyone else was a very pleasant surprise. I didn't think anyone could equal Natalie Dessay as the Queen of the Night, but Diana Damrau's performance was right on par. That is my highest compliment.

This production has everything. I recommend it!
... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Mahler - Symphony No. 2

starring: Pierre Boulez, Diana Damrau, Petra Lang, Staatskapelle Berlin

Release Date April 24, 2007
This is the first DVD I have owned of a symphony I love being performed by a first rate orchestra and conductor. It was a wonderful experience in every way - the video was outstanding and the performance by the Berlin Philharmonic with Pierre Boulez conducting was beautiful beyond words.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Mozart - Ascanio in Alba

starring: Diana Damrau, Iris Kupke, Sonia Prina, Charles Reid, Christian Benzhaf
directed by: Adam Fischer, David Hermann

Release Date January 09, 2007
The most annoing things about this production is that the actors, Voyager I and II, spoke most of the recitatives as the singers on the most part were making hand jestures to go along with the spoken words, and the Voyagers' weird distracting seizure movements, jestures and bodyslamming themselves to the ground while the singers sang. It's amazing how the singers could focus on their arias and keep their composure. I would have given at least 4 stars if the Voyagers were omitted. The great music and singing saved this production from complete disaster. I think Charles Reid and Iris Kupke deserved more credit than they received. I like their voices. It is too bad that they cut out Aceste's other aria from the second act. I wish that the role of Fauno was more involved ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

The Magic Flute

starring: Willi Hartmann, Dorothea Röschmann, Diana Damrau, Franz-Josef Selig, Simon Keenlyside
directed by: Sue Judd

Release Date
The most annoing things about this production is that the actors, Voyager I and II, spoke most of the recitatives as the singers on the most part were making hand jestures to go along with the spoken words, and the Voyagers' weird distracting seizure movements, jestures and bodyslamming themselves to the ground while the singers sang. It's amazing how the singers could focus on their arias and keep their composure. I would have given at least 4 stars if the Voyagers were omitted. The great music and singing saved this production from complete disaster. I think Charles Reid and Iris Kupke deserved more credit than they received. I like their voices. It is too bad that they cut out Aceste's other aria from the second act. I wish that the role of Fauno was more involved ... Read More: