"Actor: Patricia Rozario"

• Maria Ewing - Dido And Aeneas | DVD | (10/11/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Purcell''s much-loved tragic masterpiece is an intense tale of heroism passion betrayal and ultimate tragedy played out against a backdrop of fiery rituals evil spells and pageantry. This film was first shown on television in 1995 to celebrate the tercentenary of Purcell''s death. The American soprano Maria Ewing stars as Dido with Karl Daymond as Aeneas. They head an excellent British cast including Rebecca Evans as Belinda Sally Burgess as the Sorceress Patricia Rozario as the First Enchantress and James Bowman as the Voice of Mercury. The Collegium Musicum 90 is conducted by Richard Hickox and the film was directed by Peter Maniura. This production of Dido & Aeneas was filmed entirely on location at Hampton Court House in 1995 where spectacular settings were created in the house and grounds by the Dutch designer Niek Kortekaas. Director Peter Maniura said of the production ''Purcell''s masterpiece is a miracle of dramatic compression. Inspired by the paintings of the 17th Century I have tried to recreate a rich filmic world which places a classical love story with its heroes and heroines magic and intrigue in a Baroque setting''.

• Mitridate Re Di Ponto - Mozart | DVD | (31/01/2005) from £7.33   |  Saving you £17.66 (70.70%)   |  RRP £24.99

  A performance of 'Mitridate' composed when Mozart was just fourteen. Theodore Guschlbauer conducts the Lyon Opera Orchestra recorded live at the Lyon National Opera in 1986.

• Tavener - Fall And Resurrection | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £7.55   |  Saving you £12.44 (164.77%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Fall and Resurrection was conceived by Sir John Tavener, perhaps the leading present-day composer of British spiritual music, to mark the new Millennium. Its premiere, preserved on this recording, took place at St Paul's Cathedral in January 2000, the acoustic of that historical venue contributing much to an intensely emotional experience for the audience, the singers and the musicians. It is an epic, tonal poem in which Tavener sublimates his own artistic achievement in a series of primordial movements and chants which encapsulate moments before, during and after Creation, ultimately offering a vision of divine hope which is tumultuous and profoundly moving. The performances, particularly from soprano Patricia Rozario and bass Stephen Richardson, are absorbing; Richard Hickox at the helm of the City of London Sinfonia ensures that all due attention is paid to the complexity and detail of Tavener's score, which is based on a Byzantine chant and including a variety of ancient instruments, from the kaval to Tibetan temple bowls. As Tavener explains in the accompanying interviews, he sees music as "liquid metaphysics", and truly sacred music can only be achieved through the total self-effacement of the composer. Thus he sets the listener--and viewer--a daunting task. Rising to it is not merely an auditory challenge. It requires an almost physical surrender. This is music which is absorbed as much as heard. On the DVD: Fall and Resurrection, presented in 16:9 anamorphic format, is splendidly delivered via a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound audio track which transports the viewer to the vaulting interior heights of St. Paul's Cathedral. Extras include two interviews with Tavener in which he talks with fascinating intensity about his own faith, the role of the composer and the complex musical and spiritual images encompassed by this work. --Piers Ford