Description

Rossini: Semiramide - Blu-ray

UPC: 8007144556747

Product Features

Composer: Gioachino Rossini
Opera: Semiramide (Melodramma tragico in two acts)
Libretto: Gaetano Rossi
Performers:Orchestra: Symphony Orchestra of the Vlaamse Opera Antwerp/Ghent
- Semiramide: Myrto Papatanasiu
- Arsace: Ann Hallenberg
- Assur: Josef Wagner
- Idreno: Robert McPherson
- Oroe: Igor Bakan
- Azema: Julianne Gearhart
- Mitrane: Eduardo Santamaria
- L’Ombra di Nino: Charles Dekeyser
Chorus: Chorus of the Vlaamse Opera Antwerp/Ghent
Conductor: Alberto Zedda
Chorus Master: Yannis Pouspourikas
Director, Set and Costume Designer: Nigel Lowery
Lighting Designer: Lothar Baumgarte
Video Director: Matteo Ricchetti
Publisher: Dynamic
Picture Format: Full HD 1080/60, Region All
Sound Format: PCM Stereo 2.0, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.0
Subtitles: Italian, English, German, French, Japanese
Notes and Synopsis: Available in Italian and English
Running Time: 228 minutes

Overview

Rossini’s Semiramide, a grand tragic opera in two acts, is brought to life in this visually striking production by Vlaamse Opera Antwerp/Ghent, directed by Nigel Lowery. This 2015 performance, conducted by renowned Rossini specialist Alberto Zedda, showcases a stellar cast led by Myrto Papatanasiu in the title role of Semiramide, the powerful and enigmatic Babylonian queen.

The production combines vibrant costumes and evocative lighting with Rossini's magnificent score, resulting in a compelling blend of drama and spectacle. Mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg delivers a captivating performance as Arsace, while Josef Wagner brings depth to the role of the villainous Assur. The Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Vlaamse Opera provide a rich musical foundation under the expert baton of Alberto Zedda.

This Blu-ray, with a running time of 228 minutes, captures the grandeur of Rossini’s rarely performed masterpiece, filmed in Full HD with DTS-HD Master Audio for an immersive opera experience. Subtitles are available in Italian, English, German, French, and Japanese.

Interesting Facts

Alberto Zedda, one of the foremost experts on Rossini, was instrumental in bringing Semiramide back to modern stages. His deep knowledge of Rossini’s music shines through in this performance.
Semiramide was Rossini’s final opera composed for Italy, and it is considered one of his most complex and technically demanding works.
Myrto Papatanasiu as Semiramide and Ann Hallenberg as Arsace are a vocal tour de force, delivering the opera’s most challenging arias with grace and power.
This production’s visual design, overseen by Nigel Lowery, mixes historical references with modern aesthetics, providing a unique interpretation of the ancient Babylonian setting.
Semiramide is based on Voltaire’s tragedy, following the story of Queen Semiramide of Babylon, her political intrigue, and the prophecy of her downfall.

Track Listing

Act I: Queen Semiramide’s court intrigue, the appearance of Arsace, and the prophecy of the ghost of Nino.
Act II: The unraveling of Assur’s conspiracy and the tragic fulfillment of the prophecy.