David McVicar’s inventive hit production of Handel’s most popular opera sets the story of Caesar’s conquest of Egypt—and of its queen, Cleopatra—in the era of British 19th-century imperialism while also including elements of Baroque theater and Bollywood movies. David Daniels in the title role and Natalie Dessay as Cleopatra lead the cast. Christophe Dumaux is Ptolemy, Cleopatra’s brother, and Alice Coote and Patricia Bardon star as Sesto and Cornelia, son and widow of Caesar’s opponent Pompey. Early music specialist Harry Bicket conducts and plays harpsichord continuo.
When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is de...
Live performance from the Opéra National de Lyon.
Otto Schenk’s brilliant production captures both the dark romanticism of the story as well as its fa...
Live performance from Oper Leipzig, 26 November 2005.
Live performance from the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, 23 July 2005.
David Alden’s elegant 2012 production moves Verdi’s thrilling drama to a timeless setting inspired b...
Audiences went wild for Bartlett Sher’s dynamic production, which found fresh and surprising ways to...
It is a rare opera indeed that calls for one soprano diva and no fewer than six tenors. Mary Zimmerm...
Live performance from the Grand Théâtre de Genève, February 25 2016.
Stephen Wadsworth’s production of Mussorgsky’s epic masterpiece brilliantly captures the suffering a...
Live from the Metropolitan Opera, 14 February 1980. This version takes place in Boston rather than S...
The Glyndebourne Opera's 1981 production of the Benjamin Britten opera, based on Shakespeare's play.
Live performance from the Metropolitan Opera, 27 February, 1996.
Live performance from the Metropolitan Opera, 31 December 1986.
This John Dexter production, designed by Desmond Heeley, was a parting gift to the great American so...
Music Director James Levine conducts his first new Met production after a two-year absence: Robert C...
Live performance from Chorégies d'Orange, 11 July 2015.