François Duplat Movies

Jacques Offenbach's 5-act opéra fantastique Tales of Hoffmann (1881) receives an interpretation by the Gran Théâtre de Genève in this 2008 stage production. It stars Marc Laho as Hoffmann, and, as his three ill-fated romantic conquests (all variations of the same woman): Patricia Petibon as Olympia, Rachel Harnisch as Antonia and Maria Riccarda Wesseling as Giulietta. Three different musical ensembles provide accompaniment: the Chœur du Grand Théâtre de Genève (under the direction of chorus master Ching Lien-Wu), the Chœur Orpheus de Sofia (under the direction of chorus master Krum Maximov) and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (under the co-direction of concertmaster Bogdan Zvoristeanu and musical director Patrick Davin). Olivier Py did the stage direction and lighting, while Pierre-André Weitz designed the sets and costumes. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky finished his iconic, three-act lyric opera Eugene Onegin in January 1878 following a year-long gestation; adapted from the well-known verse novel of the same title by Alexander Pushkin, it broke new ground in opera with its omission of scene changes and absence of a linear narrative in the traditional sense. (Tchaikovsky instead opted to stitch together numerous scenes from the main character's lfe, impressionistically). The Bolshoi Theatre mounted this particular version of the opera at the Paris Opera (Palais Garnier) in September 2009. It stars Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role, Makvala Kasrashvili as Madame Larina and Tatiana Monogarova as Tatiana and Margarita Mamsirova as Olga. The Bolshoi Theatre Soloists, Orchestra and Chorus provide musical accompaniment, conducted by Alexander Vedernikov; Valery Borisov serves as chorus master; and Dmitri Tcherniakov did the stage direction and set design. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

In the classical performance release New Year's Concert in St Petersburg - shot on New Year's Day 2007 at St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall - Russian maestro Valery Gergiev leads the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre in interpretations of symphonic works by Wagner, Strauss, Verdi, Rachmaninov and a number of other composers. Two soloists - alto vocalist Yuri Bashmet and concert pianist Yefim Bronfman - provide added musical support. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Patrizia Ciofi, Marzio Giossi, Simone Alaimo and Norman Shankle co-star in this 2007 production of Gaetano Donizetti's opera Don Pasquale, mounted by the Grand Théâtre du Genève and directed for the stage by Daniel Slater. The Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, under the direction of Evelino Pidò, and The Choeur du Grand Théâtre de Genève, lend musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

The Opéra Nationale de Paris mounted this elaborate production of Gaetano Donizetti's opera L'Elisir d'Amore in 2006, staged by Laurent Pelly. The principals include Heidi Grant Murphy as Adina, Paul Groves as Nemorino and Laurent Naouri as Belcore; The Orchestra and Chorus of the Opéra Nationale de Paris provide musical accompaniment under the direction of Edward Gardner. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

The Twelfth International Van Cliburn International Piano Competition showcases highlights from that edition of the world-renowned contest that has become a launching pad for numerous classical music performers. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

André Engel directed this October 2005 production of Paul Hindemith's 1926 gothic opera Cardillac at the Opéra de Paris-Bastille. The work concerns an expert jeweler who murders his clients to retrieve the gems he created for them. Alan Held essays the title role; the supporting cast includes Angela Denoke, Charles Workman and Roland Bracht. The Orchestra and Chorus of the Opéra National de Paris provide musical accompaniment under the baton of Kent Nagano. François Duplat produced. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

This performance of Richard Wagner's three act opera Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, performed at the Zurich Opera House, offers Jose Van Dam, Matti Salminen, Michael Volle, and eter Seiffert in major roles. The production is the only comic opera ever written by Wagner. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

This production of Prokofiev's opera Love for Three Oranges features Andrey Ilyushnikov and Nadezhda Serdjuk. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Claudio Monteverdi's two-act opera based on Homer's Odyssey and featuring libretto by Giacomo Badoaro is performed before a live audience at the Opeenhaus Zürich in this 2002 production starring Vesselina Kasarova, Malin Hartelius, and Isabel Rey. Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts the Orchestra La Scintilla. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide