Rachmaninov: The Miserly Knight - DVD

ENGLISH

Rachmaninov: The Miserly Knight (OA0919D) (2004)<br /> <br /> Sergei Leiferkus (The Baron); Richard Berkeley-Steele (Albert); Maxim Mikhailov<br /> (The Servant); Viacheslav Voynarovskiy<br /> (The Money-lender); Albert Schagidullin (The Duke); Matilda Leyser <br /> (Aerialist); London Philharmonic Orchestra; Vladimir Jurowski<br /> <br /> Vladimir Jurowski conducts Rachmaninov’s dark setting<br /> of Alexander Pushkin’s ‘little tragedy’ with an outstanding performance from Sergei Leiferkus in the role written for<br /> the great Russian bass Fyodor Chaliapin.<br /> Rachmaninov’s dramatically brooding score - beautifully recorded in an atmospheric surround sound - portrays the miser consumed by the power of his glinting gold, as it pushes him to his ultimate collapse.<br /> <br /> "Visually this DVD of The Miserly Knight is sumptuous, musically it is superlative. Composed in 1906 for Chaliapin, this production has a magnificent successor in Sergei Leiferkus, who dominates the stage. Apart from his magnificent voice and compelling acting, he has tremendous presence." (The Penguin Guide)<br /> <br /> "...an inspired piece of programming...Sergei Leiferkus was utterly compelling in the title role...he delivered an appropriately mean performance..." (Opera)<br /> <br /> "...the magnificent Sergei Leiferkus...takes this rather thrilling symphonic fantasy into the realms of true opera." (The Independent)<br /> <br /> "This production was recorded in high definition video, and hence should be available on high definition DVD in a year or so. If you have not seen high definition television you are in for a jaw-dropping experience. It is clearer than motion picture film! For opera productions like this it means much more expensive sets and costumes, more realistic acting and makeup, because of the extremely fine detail which is now visible.<br /> " (Musicweb International)