Gualtiero is an exiled count, forced to become a pirate. His enemy Ernesto blackmails Imogene into marrying him, even though he knows she loves Gualtiero. In the searing final scene Imogene goes insane when Gualtiero is condemned to death. This is riveting bel canto drama as you have seldom hear it.

Recorded at Bayerische Staatsoper on March 3-9, 2016.

2012 production

The revolutionary tribunal has sentenced Andrea Chénier to death and no one can avert his fate. Shortly before his execution, Chénier is visited by his lover Maddalena, who has decided to die at the poet's side. “Our death is the triumph of love”, the lovers promise each other in their last words. The French Revolution, which was initially demanded by the people, turns out to be a machine of terror after 1789: spies of the regime pursue the citizens, show trials serve as a deterrent and the guillotine ensures that the sentences are carried out. Although the wanted Chénier could flee Paris, he decides against it. He wants to know who is behind the letters that are secretly delivered to him. Here, in the shadow of the reign of terror, love triumphs: Chénier and Maddalena find each other, swear eternal love and are faithful to each other until their last breath together.

Grand festivities are held at the court of the Duke of Mantua. But the community which enjoys itself no longer knows values and amuses itself out of deadly boredom. The most cynical of all is court jester Rigoletto. He only wants to protect his daughter Gilda against the depraved world. He prohibits her everything – the young woman, however, goes her own way.

The classic opera by Giuseppe Verdi, brought to Teatro Real Madrid with stars such as Ermonela Jaho and Gregory Kunde in 2016, conducted by Renato Palumbo.

In three heart-rending acts named “The Woman,” “The Lover,” and “The Heroine,” a poignant tale unfolds on the Florentine stage: the prince’s mistress Stephana falls in love with lieutenant Vassili and follows him to a labor camp where her plan to escape with her beloved leads to her own tragic fate…

New production of Rigoletto at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, co-produced with the Teatro Regio in Turin, the Opéra de Wallonie Liège, and the Shaanxi Opera House. Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.