Richard Jones

Wagner's Lohengrin is the mythical tale of the mysterious Knight of the Grail, who appears to defend the princess Elsa - wrongly accused of the murder of her brother. Highlights of Wagner's most lyrical score include the famous Wedding March, which accompanies the marriage of Lohengrin and Elsa. Superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann ("currently the hottest tenor in opera" - The New York Times) makes his role debut in this performance from 2009 and filmed in Munich. He is joined by German soprano Anja Harteros - a former winner of the prestigious Cardiff Singer Of The World competition.

Puccini’s passionate opera is conducted by Antonio Pappano and stars a superb young cast including Nicole Car, Michael Fabiano and Mariusz Kwiecień, in a new production by Richard Jones.

In the deceptive light of the moon a man sings of how the woman he loves has betrayed him. Yet the knight Ariodante and Princess Ginevra had sworn eternal fidelity to each other. But the treacherous Polinesso, who also desires the young woman, has succeeded in painting her as unfaithful. Fathomless despair, a failed suicide attempt and mortal combat will all be involved in re-establishing the truth. Antonio Salvi’s skilful libretto, with a plot based on Ariosto’s famous best-seller Orlando Furioso, provides Handel with the opportunity to compose his most perfect opera. Its sublime music, written for the greatest singers of his day, contrasts the joy of sunlit days with the desolation of night. This will be the first time that this masterpiece is heard in the Théâtre de l’Archevêché in Aix-en-Provence, beneath a moon no less complicit in the fatal illusion for being real.

Richard Jones’ “La bohème” is an important weapon in the Royal Opera’s commercial arsenal. This is its second revival since Jones’ production hit the stage in autumn 2017, replacing John Copley’s beloved 40-year old staging, resplendent with period detail and resolutely naturalist. Jones brings a considerable break with the past in his approach, pointing the way towards thought-provoking possibilities for the work, though it is a clearly a show that defers to the need for regular revival and breadth of appeal.

Recorded at the Royal Opera House 2011