James Levine Movies

This performance of Gaetano Donizetti's opera Don Pasquale was recorded at the Metropolitan Opera House with accompaniment from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, and featuring vocalists like John Del Carlo and Christine Mariusz Kwiecien in the leading roles. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Julie Taymor directed this production of Mozart's The Magic Flute for The Metropolitan Opera that features Matthew Polenzani, Erika Miklosa, and Nathan Gunn. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

This performance of Richard Wagner's opera, Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera Chorus was conducted by James Levine. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Germany's unique and beloved Waldbuhne ampitheater, with its natural setting and seating capacity of 22,000, serves as the milieu for this classical concert from 1999. In it, the eminent James Levine conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in interpretations of pieces by Strauss and Wagner. Selections include: Strauss's Don Juan, Op. 20 and Der Rosenkavalier - Di Rigori Armato and Wagner's Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod and Lohengrin - Prelude to Act 3. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

The three most famous operatic tenors in the world reunite for their third concert event, this time recorded in Paris in 1998. Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti unite their voices to sing La Carnival Romain, Quando Le Sere Al Placido, Amor Ti Vieta, Voce'e Notte! and O Sole Mio. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

World-renowned tenor Plácido Domingo stars as the titular Moor in this performance of Otello, Giuseppe Verdi's operatic adaptation of William Shakespeare's immortal play. Released by Deutsche Grammophon, the filmed production also features James Morris as the sinister Iago and Renée Fleming as Desdemona. Music is provided by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under conductor James Levine. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

New York's Metropolitan Opera mounted this interpretation of Giuseppe Verdi's 1893 commedia lirica Falstaff in 1992, which drew broad critical acclaim for Paul Plishka's lead portrayal of the titular Shakespearean figure. The composer adapted it from two of Shakespeare's plays - The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV; it checked in as his final opera, and only one of two comedies that he authored. This production features Bruno Pola, Frank Lopardo and Piero de Palma in the supporting cast, with production and set design by Franco Zeffirelli and James Levine conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) wrote the music and libretto of Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), the second of four operas in Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs), a continuing story based on myths. In the first opera, the evil dwarf Alberich vies with Wotan, king of the gods, for possession of a golden ring empowering its wearer to rule the world. But the giant Fafner instead gains control of the ring. In Die Walküre, Wotan leaves to his earthly son, Siegmund, the task of recovering the ring, thereby preventing Alberich from seizing it first and using its power to destroy the gods. When Die Walküre opens, Siegmund is fleeing enemies and takes refuge at night in the dwelling of Sieglinde and her husband, Hunding. Because Siegmund's enemies are Hunding's friends, Hunding challenges Siegmund to a morning duel. While Hunding sleeps, Siegmund and Sieglinde discover that they are brothers and sisters, fall in love, and run off. Fricka -- the goddess of marriage -- demands that her husband, Wotan, punish Siegmund for enticing Sieglinde into incest. Wotan at first refuses. But under Fricka's nagging, he promises to intervene in the duel on Hunding's behalf. When Wotan's daughter Brünnhilde, a warrior maiden known as a Valkyrie, implores him to spare Siegmund, Wotan angrily refuses and forbids her to assist Siegmund. But headstrong Brünnhilde defies him and attends Siegmund during the duel. It is for naught. Wotan is there, too, and enables Hunding to slay Siegmund. Wotan then banishes Brünnhilde for her disobedience. She is to be cast into a deep sleep on a mountainside. However, Wotan agrees to create a ring of protective fire around her until a hero discovers and awakens her. In a touching final scene, father and daughter embrace and bid goodbye. ~ Mike Cummings, Rovi

Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung arrives at the world renowned Metropolitan Opera in this production featuring conductor James Levine leading the Metorpolitan Opera and Chorus and starring Siegfried Jerusalem and Hildegard Behrens. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Experience the magic of one of Richard Wagner's most revered works as The Metropolitan Opera's lavish production of Das Rheingold is captured live on-stage for release on home video. Featuring a cast of opera superstars including James Morris, Alan Held, and Mark Barker, this unforgettable production is one of the most memorable versions of Das Rheingold ever committed to film. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi