Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame / THE QUEEN OF SPADES / Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu / Chorus Intermezzo Escolania de Montserrat / OPUS ARTE

UPC: 809478010500

Playtime is 180 Minutes 

• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.47 x 0.71 x 7.64 inches; 4.9 Ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ Gilbert Deflo
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Color, NTSC, Multiple Formats, Classical, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 3 hours
• Release date ‏ : ‎ July 26, 2011
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Misha Didyk, Emily Magee, Lado Ataneli, Ludovic Tezier, Ewa Podles
• Subtitles ‏ : ‎ English, German, Catalan, Spanish, French
• Language ‏ : ‎ Russian (DTS 5.1), Russian (PCM2 .0)
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Opus Arte
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2

Summary

Obsessive in gambling and in love, the soldier Hermann is the protagonist of Tchaikovsky's Pique Dame, based on a story by Pushkin. He is smitten with the aristocratic Lisa and fixated on learning the winning secret of ‘the three cards’ from her grandmother, the Countess, played by iconic contralto Ewa Podles. This opulent production from Barcelona's Liceu captures St Petersburg in the era of Catherine the Great, while the house's Music Director Michael Boden conducts a large and impressive cast.

"It gives us a thoroughly traditional production from the Liceu but it works because it tells the story so compellingly and because the singing and playing is excellent from everyone...Watching this DVD reawakened me to the dramatic and musical treasures of what must surely be Tchaikovsky's greatest opera (with apologies to Onegin fans). This is an ideal way to introduce the opera to someone for the first time, and a great way for established Tchaikovskians to remind themselves just how great it is." (Musicweb International)

"[Didyk] cuts a fine figure on stage: tall, blond, physically agile, he sings the role of the poor lunatic gambler well. His voice is laser-like in focus and has the familiar Slavic edge...Ataneli's Tomsky is a fine interpretation, his bright voice standing up well...[Podles] is in full control of her considerable resources, the voice booming when it must and scaled back for her lovely ballad " (International Record Review)

"Misha Didyk is both vocally strong and physically striking; his acting is suitably neurotic and ‘on the edge’...[Podles] just about steals every scene she's in. The part is often sung by veteran mezzos somewhat past their prime, so it's refreshing to hear it so well sung by a rich contralto and so well acted. " (Opera Britannia)