During a storm at sea, Idomeneo, King of Crete, vows to the god Neptune that, if he survives, he will sacrifice the first human he meets on shore, which turns out to be his son, Idamante.

Composed for the Paris Opéra, the romantic but ultimately tragic narrative of Donizetti's grand opera La Favorite is set amidst the Moorish invasions of Spain and the power struggles between religion and the state in the 14th century. The novice Fernand abandons his monastery having fallen in love with the noble Léonor, not knowing that she is the King's mistress and favorite. Drawing on traditions established by Rossini and Meyerbeer, La Favorite...

When Tchaikovsky premiered his famous ballet The Nutcracker in Saint Petersburg 130 years ago, it was presented as a double bill, as standard at the time, together with the opera Iolanta. The Volksoper Wien, being part home to the famous Wiener Staatsballett, under the helm of the new artistic director Lotte de Beer and music director Omer Meir Wellber presents both works again in one evening, but not as two separate pieces, but by fusing the two...

A French princess arrives incognito in colonial New Orleans to avoid marrying a nobleman she doesn't love. Upon arriving, she falls for a swaggering soldier, who wards off pirates and a king to keep her for himself.

Song-filled extravaganza about a loving married couple whose relationship is threatened when Hollywood beckons.

Filmed at the Paris Opera with a cast including the great Mozart figures of our time, Giorgio Strehler's legendary production is made available for the first time on DVD and Blu-ray. In 2010, thirty-seven long years after its premiere, the Strehler Nozze met with a fresh triumph with a whole new generation of performers at the height of their powers.

In 19th century Seville, the lusty, tempestuous Carmen seduces a naive Army corporal, Don Jose, newly assigned to the village fortress. Jose abandons his career, his fiancee and even his dying mother for the love of this sultry gypsy. But soon she spurns him in favor of a toreador, Escamillo. Crazed with jealousy, Jose begs Carmen to return to him, but her taunting declaration of independence results in tragedy.

An unforgettable duet for tenor and baritone set in Sri Lanka that is full of delightful and dramatic music surrounding a story of a priestess and two men competing for love.

Minnie, at The Polka saloon, is respected and in her turn helpful to the rough clientele of the bar, miners who drink and gamble. Posters advertise a reward for the capture of the wanted bandit Ramerrez. Jack Rance, the sheriff is in love with her and is rough with Dick Johnson, who now comes into the bar, recognised and vouched for by Minnie. Ramerrez, alias Dick Johnson, has been betrayed by a former mistress, but now a bandit attack on the camp...