CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Martha Argerich, Evening Talks

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Martha Argerich, Riccardo Rossi, Nelson Freire, Friedrich Guilda, Géza Hosszu-Legocky
directed by: Georges Gachot

Release Date July 29, 2008
I did, of course, know of Martha Argerich. I have a copy of her debut recording, when she was a teenager of growing international renown. This movie goes back and forth in her career, beginning in medias res, working with a young violinist. The film contains clips of her earlier performances, interspersed with her "evening talks" with associates and the film maker. Her perspectives on her career, her professional relationships, and her relationships with music/composers is beyond enlightening. It is amazing to watch her work. This film will repay both your purchase and your study.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Natalie Dessay, Juan Diego Florez, Felicity Palmer, Alessandro Corbelli, Dawn French
directed by: Laurent Pelly

Release Date April 15, 2008

Miss Dessay and Mr. Florez are magnificent in this production. The singing by both and the rest of the cast is excellent and the acting, especially Miss Dessay, is outstanding. This is a DVD I will enjoy for ever. Naty Fowler

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Andre Rieu: Live in Vienna

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Andre Rieu
directed by: Not identified

Release Date September 30, 2008
I have the European Version of this title. This is a 2007 mid-summer concert which took place in front of imperial Hofburg Palace in the center of Vienna.

DVD (DVD9) is in Widescreen (16:9) format with DD5.1 and DD2.0 sound option. Andre Rieu speaks in German but subtitles are available. Main feature runs for 135mins. There is no extra features.

Playlist selection is wonderful with 25 classical hits. Some of them we know from other DVDs of Rieu, but there are some new pieces we will hear in this DVD. There are waltzes, polkas, arias and musical pieces. According to me highlights are All Strauss Waltzes, Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart Medley), The Sound of Music, and Arias. The Johann Strauss Orchestra is accompanied by Choir and joined ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Siegfried Jerusalem, Waltraud Meier, Matthias Holle, Falk Struckmann, Uta Priew
directed by: Daniel Barenboim

Release Date July 08, 2008
In July, 2007, I started my review of the Barenboim/Ponnelle Tristan und Isolde with the following: "Tristan Und Isolde is doubtless one of the greatest operas ever written. Unfortunately it has been very badly served by the currently available productions on DVD." I then listed the previous ill-conceived and/or incompetent productions before writing about that production to which I gave 5 stars (and which still remains my favourite).

I then gave 5 stars to the Belohlavek/Lehnhoff Tristan which came out in March and thought that there was an embarasse de richesse. Now, we have yet another excellent (and different) production which, for my taste, has now taken second place.

As with the Barenboim/Ponnelle production (as well as others from ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Classical Destinations

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Various Artists

Release Date August 14, 2007
I watched this show by accident on PBS. I tried to tape a few of the episodes but couldn't wait and just bought it instead.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Andre Rieu - The Homecoming

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Andre Rieu

Release Date September 26, 2006
This music-DVD is one of the best I have ever seen. André Rieu gives everything he and his orchestra have, not to forget the public.

I wish he will record more DVD:s of this kind.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Andre Rieu: Radio City Hall Live in New York (2007)

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Andre Rieu
directed by: Andre Rieu

Release Date September 04, 2007
I have watched Andre Rieu live from NY Radio City so many times and have totally enjoyed it each and every time. I purchased the DVD for some family and friends and they have also enjoyed it, they couldn't thank me enough for sending it to them.

Andre Rieu did a show in Atlantic City, NJ a few months ago....I hope that will be on a DVD because I will definately order it.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

The Opera Gala: Live from Baden-Baden

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Anna Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Ramón Vargas, Ludovic Tezier

Release Date January 08, 2008
Do not hesitate to buy this DVD. It is worth every dollar. The four singers really stand out, Netrebko with her angel-like voice, Vargas with a wonderful tenor voice, Garanca as a colorful mezzo and Tezier as a brilliant baritone. Each and every aria are outstandingly sung and when the four of them join to sing both an aria from Rigoletto and from Traviata their voices blend wonderfully. It is one of those treasures that are worth being discovered. Javier from Bariloche

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Andre Rieu in Wonderland (incl bonus CD)

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: Andre Rieu
directed by: Pit Weyrich

Release Date April 01, 2008
We have seen and enjoy so many of Andre's DVDs (Homecoming, Tuscany, Dublin, Christmas around the world, etc..). Wonderland was a terrible disappointment. It was simply too overdone with theatrics and took away from the music. Very disappointed in the DVD, had to send it back.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Andre Rieu - Tuscany

CD-Charts > DVD > Historical Periods
starring: André Rieu, Carla Maffioletti, Carmen Monarcha

Release Date September 21, 2004
Andre Rieu in Tuscany did not move me like his amazing Wonderland production. Although the music and interpretation are always great, I feel that a CD would have sufficed.