Hermann Prey

Tony Randall and some children, filmed in Connecticut, provide the framework of the history of some of the carols sung by opera stars.

Richard Wagner's grandson, Wolfgang Wagner, staged and directed this performance of the legendary composer's most human of musical dramas at the 1984 Bayreuth Festival. Horst Stein directs the Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra and an all-star cast that includes Hermann Prey (as Beckmesser), Bernd Weikl (as Sachs), Siegfried Jerusalem (as Walter), Graham Clark (as David) and MariAnne Haggander (as Eva).

Às vésperas de um baile na residência do príncipe Orlofsky, Gabriel Eisenstein deve se apresentar na prisão para cumprir oito dias por desacato a uma autoridade. Seu amigo, Dr. Falke, o convence a não se entregar naquela noite e ir ao baile. No ano anterior Falke, vestido de morcego, foi vitima de uma brincadeira de Eisenstein e abandonado, fantasiado e embriagado, em uma praça publica, virando motivo de chacota da população local pela manhã. Secretamente Falken convence a empregada, Adele a ir ao baile também, e depois a mulher de Eisentein, Rosalinde, para ir com uma máscara. Os próximos dois atos contam os encontros e desencontros dos personagens no baile e depois na delegacia de policia.

Gustl Bayrhammer takes audiences big and small on a musical journey to “Wonderland”. There he meets various characters from comic books, fairy tales and legends.

Engelbert Humperdinck's beloved musical fairy tale HÄNSEL UND GRETEL is brought to life by Sir Georg Solti and an illustrious cast - all part of a shimmering production that continues to enchant audiences of all ages.

Uma dramatização, bastante visual e profunda, das várias secções dos Carmina Burana, uma peça sinfónica composta por Carl Orff sobre poesias medievais de autor anónimo.

Leonard Bernstein made these recordings during his wonderfully productive collaboration with the Wiener Philharmoniker in the mid-1970s when he was at the peak of his career. Humphrey Burton's direction is, as always, very fine, giving the viewer/listener both the larger picture and highlighting individual soloists, players or groups of musicians and, of course, the maestro. The video and audio tracks show their age, but are quite acceptable even for today's standards. Bernstein's Seventh is everything one could desire: dark and spooky, highly sensual, but also structurally strong and assertive where needed. Bernstein's reading does not gloss over breakdowns in tonality and the foreshadowing of later musical developments.

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a comedy whose dark undertones explore the blurred boundaries between dying feudalism and emerging Enlightenment. Herman Prey's Figaro is admirably sung in a firm baritone and aptly characterized. So too, is his antagonist, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as the Count perpetually frustrated by the scheming wiles of Figaro and Susanna, here the perky Mirella Freni, who sings and acts like a dream. The Countess is creamy-voiced Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Cherubino, Maria Ewing, looks just like the horny, teenaged page she's supposed to be. The all-star leads are complemented by worthy supporting singers, the Vienna Philharmonic at the top of its form, and the experienced Mozartian, Karl Böhm conducting a stylishly fleet performance.

Count Almaviva is in love with Rosina. However, she is currently staying with Dr. Bartolo – who desires to marry her. By using a series of disguises, Almaviva manages to pass letters to Rosina and serenade her with his beautiful voice. Dr. Bartolo does his best to stop Almaviva but is constantly thwarted. In the end, Count Almaviva marries Rosina and Dr. Bartolo comes to terms with his defeat.

Wiener Philharmoniker and Wiener Philharmonia Chor Conducted by Karl Böhm Directed by Vaclav Kaslik

Karl Richter leads Gundula Janowitz and Hermann Prey in Bach’s monumental B minor Mass The work was filmed in the splendid Baroque abbey church of Diessen in Bavaria, which dates from Bach's time. Messe in h-moll Mass in B minor BWV 232 Gundula Janowitz · Hertha Töpper Horst R. Laubenthal · Hermann Prey Münchener Bach-Chor Münchener Bach-Orchester Karl Richter Directed by Arne Arnbom