Brian Large Movies

The Wiener Staatsoper mounted this 2011 production of Gaetano Donizetti's opera Anna Bolena, about the titular wife of King Henry VIII (here referred to as Enrico VIII). The production stars Anna Netrebko in the title role, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo as Enrico, Elina Garanca as Giovanna Seymour, and Dan Paul Dumitrescu as Lord Rochefort. Eric Genovese directs for the stage; The Chorus and Orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper provide musical accompaniment under the baton of Evelino Pido. Luisa Spinatelli designed the costumes, Claire Sternberg and Jacques Gabel created the sets, and Martin Schebesta and Thomas Lang serve as chorus masters. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

This performance of the George Balanchine choreographed ballet Jewels by the Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra was recorded in April of 2006, and features performances by such renowned dancers as Ulyana Lopatkina, Igor Zelensky, Irina Golub, Zhanna Ayupova, and others. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

Das Bayerische Staatsoper, as conducted by Ivor Bolton, mounts and performs Georg Friedrich Handel's titular three-act 1725 opera in the home video release Rodelinda. Dorothea Roschmann interprets the title role (the Queen of Lombardy), with Felicity Palmer as Eduige, Michael Chance as Bertarido, and Paul Nilon as Grimoaldo. David Alden designed the production and Beate Vollack choreographs the work. Brian Large directs. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

As originally directed for television by Brian Large and conducted by Mariss Janssons, this classical concert by the Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayerischen Rundfunks features several selections by Franz Josef Haydn. Pieces in the program include the overture of Haydn's Symphony in D Major, his Symphony in G Major, and his Mass in B Flat Major. Featured vocal soloists include soprano Malin Hartelius, alto Judith Schmid, tenor Christian Elsner and bass Franz-Josef Selig. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

This performance of Gounod's opera Romeo et Juliette recorded in Salzburg in 2008 stars soprano Nino Machaidze and accompaniment by the Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

This performance of the Mozart opera Idomeneo was filmed at the recently restored Cuvillies Theatre, and features vocalists like John Mark Ainsley, Pavol Breslik, and Juliane Banse in the leading roles. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

This production of Tchaikovsky's celebrated opera Eugene Onegin features Reneee Fleming, Elena Zaremba, and Svetlana Volkova, and Ramon Vargas. Valery Gergiev conducts the orchestra, and dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov hosts the entire program that appeared originally on Great Performances at the Met. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Famed tenor Placido Domingo headlines this December 2006 stage production of Tan Dun's unique opera The First Emperor, mounted by Raise the Red Lantern director Zhang Yimou. Dun composed the score and conducts; he also co-authored the libretto with Ha Jin, adapting both historical records by Sima Qian and the screenplay The Legend of the Bloody Zheng by Lu Wei. This filmed outing bears an unusual footnote, as one in a series of early 21st century filmed operas released to mainstream theaters by New York's Metropolitan Opera in High Definition (HD) format. It contains not merely the said opera, but interviews with the various participants conducted by the late Beverly Sills, and extensive behind-the-scenes footage. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

The release La Traviata brings to at-home audiences the Salzburg Festival's 2005 production of Giuseppe Verdi's titular masterpiece. This interpretation stars Anna Netrebko as Violetta Valery, Helene Schneidermann as Flora Bervoix, Diane Pilcher as Annina and Rolando Villazon as Alfredo Germont. It features musical accompaniment by the Konzertverzinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor as conducted by Rubert Huber. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Pierre Audi stages and Brian Large directs this theatrical performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 1791 opera Die Zauberflote (AKA The Magic Flute), with its familiar story of the priest Sarastro and The Queen of the Night's attempts to free Pamina from one another's control. Christian Gerhaher, Genia Kühmeier, Paul Groves and Diana Damrau co-star; the Wiener Staatsopernchor and the Wiener Philharmoniker, under the baton of Riccardo Muti, provide musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi