"Actor: Ghena Dimitrova"

• Verdi: Nabucco -- La Scala/Muti | DVD | (26/04/2004) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-2.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.99

  This magnificent production of Verdi's biblical epic Nabucco marked the return of Riccardo Muti as Musical Director of La Scala Milan Italy's greatest opera house. Nabucco was Verdi's first real success. This vast opera has great scenes for the chorus most famously in 'Va pensiero' the hymn of longing sung by the Hebrew slaves on the banks of the Euphrates. This DVD is a marvellous opportunity to hear La Scala's famous Chrous on top form.

• Giacomo Puccini - Puccini - Turandot | DVD | (21/07/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Turandot: Puccini - Arena di Verona

• I Lombardi | DVD | (06/09/2004) from £10.03   |  Saving you £9.22 (105.13%)   |  RRP £17.99

  The magnificent cast of this production of I Lombardi is headed by Ghena Dimitrova Jose Carreras Silvano Carroli and Carlo Bini. The haunting designs of Spartan grandeur are by Giovanni Agostinucci who uses the motif of a blood-red cross as a double-edged symbol throughout the opera which is set at the time of the first crusade. The performance is conducted by a La Scala conductor of long-standing repute Gianandrea Gavazzeni.

• Nabucco - Arena Di Verona | DVD | (25/07/2005) from £29.91   |  Saving you £-11.92 (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Nabucco was Verdi's first real success and its nationalistic theme of yearning for freedom made it highly popular in an Italy of 1842 under Austrian rule. The great chorus of the exiled Hebrews 'Va pensiero' has become one of the best-loved of operatic melodies and made Verdi the voice of the Italian people. This performance was recorded in Verona in 1981 where the huge open-air Roman Arena provides a magnificent setting for this vast and spectacular opera. The great baritone Renat

• Verdi: Aida -- La Scala | DVD | (28/08/2000) from £3.51   |  Saving you £17.74 (788.44%)   |  RRP £19.99

  La Scala went all-out for its 1986 production of this grandest of grand operas, with a strong cast and--most important for a video recording--a larger-than-life staging. The Triumph Scene in Act II is by no means Aida's only attraction, but it is the part that makes the strongest and most lasting impression and it is the visual and musical climax of this production. Stage director Ronconi brings on a procession to dwarf all processions: looted treasures, heroic statuary, miserable captives struggling under the lash of whip-bearing slave-drivers. On par with these visuals is Lorin Maazel's first-class performance of the popular "Grand March" with the outstanding La Scala chorus and orchestra. In Act III, the contrasting tranquillity of the Nile Scene also gets a visual treatment to match the music's qualities.When it is not an epic spectacle, Aida is a tragic story of love, jealousy and horrible revenge. The shifting focus between vast spectacle and intimate moments-sometimes awkward in a live performance onstage--presents special opportunities and challenges for a video recording. In this Aida, the camera work shows an acute awareness of those opportunities and challenges. The soloists have a variety of strengths that outweigh a few small weaknesses. Luciano Pavarotti sings one of his signature roles in superb voice, but his weight problems are visually evident and detract from his impact as the dashing hero Radames. Maria Chiara has moments of vocal imperfection but gives a dramatically compelling performance. Ghena Dimitrova sings powerfully and the supporting cast is excellent throughout. --Joe McLellan, Amazon.com

• Verdi Favourites | DVD | (06/09/2004) from £14.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  This stunning compilation includes some of the greatest scenes from favourite Verdi operas taken from spectacular productions filmed at La Scala Milan The Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Arena di Verona. The DVD features superb performances from major opera stars including Jos Carreras as Oronte in scenes from I Lombardi Mirella Freni as Elvira in Ernani Renato Bruson as Falstaff Nicola Martinucci and Maria Chiara in Aida Ghena Dimitrova as Abigaille in Nabucco an