CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Fleming, Vargas, Hvorostovsky, Gergiev, Carsen [Metropolitan Opera 2007]

starring: Renee Fleming, Ramon Vargas, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Valery Gergiev, Jean-Paul Fouchecourt
directed by: Brian Large, Robert Carsen

Release Date December 18, 2007
Of the many many videos of opera my wife and I have seen over the years--DVD, VHS and yes Beta--this was the most poorly produced. No set but a table and chairs and a scrim at the rear that changed from blue with a crescent moon to a light orange. Night and day--get it? Adequate for a low budget off-broadway Chekhov but shameful for grand opera. Most disappointing of all particularly in light of the distinguished singers and conductor was the uneven sometimes faint and hollow sound--perhaps a result of the huge empty stage or sound engineers asleep at the switch. I have difficulty believing Brian Large was in charge of video. I cannot account for the over-the-top reviews except that several may have found it a souvenir of a happy experience ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Three Tenors: In Concert

starring: José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Zubin Mehta
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date June 24, 1997
I have been waiting for a long time to replace my VHS with a DVD hoping the price would come down a little more. What a mistake! The DVD is crisp, sharp, and clear. The sound is fantastic, even God must have felt a little humble that night in 1990 at Caracalla. In an age of celebrity for celebrities sake, that much talent on the stage all at one time is breathtaking. Four of the most talented people in the world, what a thrill.
If you are debating this purchase wait no longer, even if you have seen it a hundred times, this DVD will please you over and over.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Verdi - Aida / Levine, Domingo, Millo, Metropolitan Opera

starring: Aprile Millo, Plácido Domingo, Dolora Zajick, Sherrill Milnes, Paata Burchuladze
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date December 12, 2000
This DVD recording of "Aida" is a feast for the eyes and the ears!
Even though it's from a few years ago, the voices are outstanding and
the recording clear and up to date. This is my favorite opera of all
time and this DVD really does it justice. I recommend it highly!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Verdi - Otello / Domingo, Fleming, Morris, Croft, Levine, Moshinsky, Metropolitan Opera

starring: Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, James Morris (IX), Jane Bunnell, Richard Croft (II)
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date April 13, 2004
I wanted Placido Domingo singing "Otello" and I am extremely pleased with this DVD. The DVD arrived quickly and in perfect shape.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Bizet - Carmen / Levine, Baltsa, Carreras, Metropolitan Opera

starring: Agnes Baltsa, Jose Carreras, Samuel Ramey, Leona Mitchell, Myra Merritt
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date December 12, 2000
For ages I have been familiar with this opera, and once upon a time designed costumes for it, too. This version was somewhat different, but very good. The settings didn't always appear as though it was the cigarette factory or the café of Lilas Pastias, but the acting was good and the singing excellent. Not a recent production, it still shows how good Jose Carreras is. Unfortunately Samuel Ramey didn't seem as convincing as Escamillo as he could have. Though a smaller role, it is nevertheless very important to the story.

The music of deutsche grammophon has always been well known and looked for and overall it is hard to fault the Metropolitan and these performers. James Levine leads the ever fabulous orchestra as well. I give it at least 4 stars.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)

starring: Siegfried Jerusalem, Hildegard Behrens, James Morris (IX), Heinz Zednik, Birgitta Svendén
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date November 12, 2002
Excellent presentations. Excellent purchase process. Delivery was within 2 or 3 days of transaction.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Don Quixote / Baryshnikov, Harvey, American Ballet Theatre

starring: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Cynthia Harvey, Richard Schafer, Brian Adams (VII), Charles Maple
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date April 15, 2003
This is a great video of Don Q.Beautiful technique by amazing young artists.The Dryad Fairy took my breath away....she is amazing!This video is worth every penny for anyone interested in ballet and dance, ballet students,pre professional and professional dancers alike.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera

starring: Kathleen Battle, Francisco Araiza, Manfred Hemm, Kurt Moll, Luciana Serra
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date December 12, 2000
The recording is superb and the singers are great! I especially love Manfred Hemm's acting and singing. His humorous acting is well worth the money spent in this DVD. I love his green bird costume! It's hilarious.
His voice is deep, moving and expressive.

The orchestration is also very well played and recorded. Other supporting singers are well chosen as well.

I would love to see this live with the same people!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Horowitz in Moscow

starring: Vladimir Horowitz
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date April 05, 2005
A touching and hypnotic performance by one of the great pianists of our time. The between him and his audience was very touching.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Richard Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Te Kanawa, Howells, Haugland, Bonney, Solti, Schlesinger (The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden)

starring: Kiri Te Kanawa, Aage Haugland, Anne Howells, Barbara Bonney, Georg Solti
directed by: Brian Large, John Schlesinger

Release Date January 13, 2004
Several times during this Rosenkavalier I was brought to tears by the sheer beatuy of the cast and production. Just gorgeous!