Janacek: The Cunning Little Vixen

Chatelet Theatre Paris, Sir Charles Mackerras

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This production by Nicholas Hytner dates from 1995 and while it may seem rather too whimsical for contemporary tastes has such wonderful performances that it is entirely captivating. Thomas Allen is outstanding as the Forester but there are no weak singers here and the orchestra under Sir Charles Mackerras is as fine as one could ask. Bob Crowley’s setting float with an easy grace and his costumes are a constant delight.

Weber: Der Freischutz

Zurich Opera, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

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Ruth Bergaus directed a number of very striking productions in the 1990s and this Zurich presentation of Der Freischutz dates from 1999. Starkly set with costumes almost entirely in black it focuses closely on the psychology of the characters. It also has a thrilling dynamism from the pit under Nicholas Harnoncourt which he manages to maintain throughout. The Wolf’s Glen scene is danced which lacks any sense of horror but this was new at the time. Good to have this available.

Bruckner: Symphony No9

Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann

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One of the benefits of DVDs of orchestral concerts is the close concentration it gives us on the conductor. Here we can study the way Christian Thielemann shapes and moulds the extended paragraphs of Bruckner’s score.  That he appears to do it so easily, yet create so great an impact is telling in itself. A masterly performance and worth studying.

Johann Adolf Hasse: Artaserse

Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, Corrado Rovaris

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I suspect that for most of us Baroque Opera does not extend much further than Handel and Vivaldi. A pity as there is a vast repertoire beyond this which we have yet to explore. All the more welcome then is this production of Hasse’s Artaserse to a familiar libretto by Metastasio. A favourite work of Farinelli, it has a series of fearsomely difficult arias which need singers of world class. Thankfully the singing here is very good if not quite of the immaculate quality for which it was presumably written. Corrado Rovaris, directing from the harpsichord, drives the pace hard and keeps the (very complex) action moving rapidly towards its sympathetic if unlikely denouement.

Stravinsky’s La Sacre de Printemps

A film by Peter Rump

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This film is based on Valery Gergiev’s love of the work and he is seen in rehearsal and performance, as well as discussing the origin of the composition. There are rare archive shots of the composer, both conducting and talking about the work.