Wonderful Opera DVD's

just saw/heard James Conlon's LA opera recording of the Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny by Brecht/Weill with Patti Lupone and Audra Macdonald and it is wonderful. The sets, costumes, acting, direction and singing are all amazingly good. I saw a production at the Met years ago, and am happy that this one is on video.

I've wanted to see and hear more of Audra Macdonald since I saw her on teevee one time years ago, and Patti Lupone is good enough (I have a Candide DVD with her in it). Should I be tempted on those grounds?

Robert

I just got a thrilling DVD of Carmen at the Vienna State Opera, recorded in 1978 with Carlos Kleiber conducting, Zeffirelli directing, Placido Domingo as Don Jose and Elena Obratzova as Carmen. They were in great voice, and there were flamenco dancers and horses! Zeffirelli designed the sets. It was just released in 2004 with Kleiber's permission just before he died.

I have to move it ahead of the Agnes Baltsa in my cherished list.

Miriam, I started watching opera DVDs only recently (it still feels strange not to primarily listen!), and this one, a Dutch production, was fabulous:

Prokofiev - L'Amour des Trois Oranges (The Love for Three Oranges) (2005)

It'll be the first opera on DVD I'll buy.