United Kingdom Backstage with English National Ballet (Sky Arts, series directed by Zoë Dobson) & English National Ballet’s Nutcracker (directed for TV by Peter Jones): English National Ballet, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Maria Seletskaja (conductor). Filmed at the London Coliseum and first broadcast on Sky Arts on 23.12.2024. (JPr)
Broadcasts and Film
There will never be another! Relive Rudolf Nureyev’s virtuosic talent in his legendary Don Quixote film
Australia The Australian Ballet in Rudolf Nureyev’s Film of Don Quixote: The Australian Ballet, The State Orchestra of Victoria (formerly The Elizabethan Trust Melbourne Orchestra) / John Lanchbery (conductor). Filmed in 1973, restored and remastered in 1999, and currently available on medici.tv. (JPr)
Pfitzner’s Palestrina is conducted by Thielemann, the opera’s tireless advocate, and triumphs in Vienna
Austria Hans Pfitzner’s Palestrina: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Livestreamed (directed by Ella Gallieni) from the Vienna State Opera, 12.12.2024. (JPr)
Ashton’s Cinderella for The Royal Ballet focusses on steps but ignores the story
United Kingdom Prokofiev, Cinderella: Dancers of The Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Jonathan Lo (conductor). Broadcast live from the Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden, London, to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 10.12.2024. (JPr)
Muscato’s compelling new La Scala La forza del destino is dominated by Netrebko’s Leonora and Tézier’s Carlo
Italy Verdi, La forza del destino: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan / Riccardo Chailly (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Arnalda Canali) on medici.tv from Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 7.12.2024. (JPr)
Claus Guth’s Vienna Turandot lacks epic grandeur but is redeemed by some fine singing
Austria Puccini, Turandot: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Vienna State Opera / Marco Armiliato (conductor). Filmed at the Vienna State Opera (directed by Tiziano Mancini) on 16.12.2023 and currently available on medici.tv. (JPr)
A cast for the ages? Lise Davidsen, Freddie De Tommaso and Quinn Kelsey bring the Met Tosca to true life
United States Puccini, Tosca: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor). The Met Live in HD broadcast to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 23.11.2024. (JPr)
David McVicar’s puzzling Rheingold is redeemed by Simone Young’s conducting and some fine singing
Italy Wagner, Das Rheingold: Soloists, Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Simone Young (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Anna Gettel) from La Scala, Milan, 3.11.2024 and available on demand on LaScala TV. (JPr)
