CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Rossini - Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

starring: Juan Diego Florez, Ruggero Raimondi, Maria Bayo, Pietro Spagnoli, Bruno Pratico
directed by: Emilio Sagi

Release Date November 15, 2005
A very imaginative version of the opera. It is well done and the contrast between the black and white scenes and the use of color towards the end were remarkable. It holds the viewers attention with singers who can also act. I viewed it with my 11 year old granddaughter and she was never bored and asked questions which made it evident she was captivated by the story. I recommend it for all ages.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Don Giovanni - Mozart / De Nederlandse Opera

starring: Pietro Spagnoli
directed by: Jossi Wieler;Sergio Morabito

Release Date August 26, 2008
A very imaginative version of the opera. It is well done and the contrast between the black and white scenes and the use of color towards the end were remarkable. It holds the viewers attention with singers who can also act. I viewed it with my 11 year old granddaughter and she was never bored and asked questions which made it evident she was captivated by the story. I recommend it for all ages.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro

starring: Rosemary Joshua, Luca Pisaroni, Pietro Spagnoli, Annette Dasch, Angelika Kirchschlager
directed by: Jean-Louis Martinoty

Release Date January 16, 2007
I've finally caved and have bought this DVD in addition to the other 5 Figaro DVDs I own, after having practically worn out my Jacobs Figaro CD. The singers and orchestra are top notch (I'm particularly impressed with the Countess - she's magnificent!). I just have one small quibble....: Am I the only one hearing someone humming along here and there? I don't know who the culprit is, but I'm guessing that it's Jacobs himself. I may be going crazy, but I swear I hear someone humming along.

For the best allround production, I have to recommend the Figaro from Covent Garden (the one McVicar directed), but Jacobs knows his tricks and in this production, the orchestra gets to shine just a little bit more. Another plus is the lack of Dorothea ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Le nozze di Figaro (Theatre des Champs-Elysees)

starring: Rene Jacobs, Rosemary Joshua, Luca Pisaroni, Annette Dasch, Pietro Spagnoli
directed by: Jean-Louis Martinoty

Release Date January 16, 2007
I've finally caved and have bought this DVD in addition to the other 5 Figaro DVDs I own, after having practically worn out my Jacobs Figaro CD. The singers and orchestra are top notch (I'm particularly impressed with the Countess - she's magnificent!). I just have one small quibble....: Am I the only one hearing someone humming along here and there? I don't know who the culprit is, but I'm guessing that it's Jacobs himself. I may be going crazy, but I swear I hear someone humming along.

For the best allround production, I have to recommend the Figaro from Covent Garden (the one McVicar directed), but Jacobs knows his tricks and in this production, the orchestra gets to shine just a little bit more. Another plus is the lack of Dorothea ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Puccini - La Fanciulla Del West

starring: Mara Zampieri, Juan Pons, Plácido Domingo, Sergio Bertocchi, Luigi Roni
directed by: John Michael Phillips

Release Date August 26, 1998
This is an excellent staging of this opera bringing all of its charms to life. Domingo captures the western bravado well in his character.