Janáček, Humperdinck, Dove: Fairytale Operas (5DVD)

Fantastic storylines abound in opera, but these grand musical settings of much-loved fairytales embrace the imaginary, giving free rein to dreams. The Royal Opera’s acclaimed Hansel and Gretel combines the directors’ characteristic wit and knack for dark comedy with the story’s enduring charm. Glyndebourne’s recounting of the quick-witted fox’s escape into nature balances the opera’s whimsy and mysticism. Opera North’s enchanting staging of Jonathan Dove’s 21st opera is a wittily inventive feast for the eyes and ears, shining new light on Collodi’s original tale, by turns magical and dark. Extra Features: On Hansel and Gretel with Colin Davis · Fairytales feature · Creating Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen Thoughts on The Adventures of Pinocchio by the Composer, Librettist, Director and ConductorIllustrated synopses of Hansel and Gretel and The Adventures of Pinocchio · Cast Galleries Running time: 474 minutes Sound format: LPCM 2.0 & DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (DVD) Subtitles: English, Français, Deutsch (All Titles); Español, Italiano (Hansel und Gretel, Pinocchio); Korean (Vixen --- Main Feature Only) Artists Angelika Kirchschlager (Hänsel), Diana Damrau (Gretel), Elizabeth Connell (Gertrude), Thomas Allen (Peter), Anja Silja (Die Knusperhexe), Pumeza Matshikiza (Sandmännchen), Anita Watson (Taumännchen), Lucy Crowe (Vixen), Emma Bell (Fox), Sergei Leiferkus (Forester), William Dazeley (Harasta), Mischa Schelomianski (Badger/Parson), Jean Rigby (Forester's Wife/Owl), Adrian Thompson (Schoolmaster/Mosquito), Colin Judson (Pásek, Innkeeper), Sarah Pring (Innkeeper’s Wife), Victoria Simmonds (Pinocchio), Jonathan Summers (Geppetto), Mary Plazas (Blue Fairy), Rebecca Bottone (Cricket/Parrot), Graeme Broadbent (Puppeteer/Ape-Judge/Ringmaster), Allan Clayton (Lampwick), Mark Wilde (Cat), James Laing (Fox/Coachman), Carole Wilson (Pigeon/Snail) Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Glyndebourne Chorus, Opera North, Colin Davis (conductor) & Moshe Leiser & Patrice Caurier (stage directors), Vladimir Jurowski (conductor) & Melly Still (director), David Parry (conductor) & Martin Duncan (stage director)