Notable CD and DVD releases for the month of August

This month ArtHaus rereleases some classic performances and new versions of beloved operas get releases.

C Major and Kultur team up for the release of Orfeo ed Euridice with the rising star Anita Rachvelishvili in the title role. The DVD features yet another visually spectacular production La Furia del Baus from the Festival Castel del Perlada. The performances is conducted by Gordan Nikouc. 

Arthaus rereleases the Liceu's Turandot starring Luna Devol as the icy princess. Barbara Frittoli brings her tragic portrayal of Liu and the performance is conducted by Giuliano Carella. The one factor that may dissuade people from revisiting this performance is Franco Farina who lacks the power and interpretational skills to a good Calaf. Nevertheless the two women make up for it.  

Monteverdi's beloved work Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria gets a rerelease with Vesselina Kasarova and Jona Kaufmann. Legendary Nikolaus Harnoncourt leads the Zurich Opera orchestra in this memorable performance. 

Yet another legendary performance of Renata Tebaldi is released. This time her acclaimed portrayal of Desdemona is brought to the screen from the Berlin Opera. Hans Beirer plays Otello and William Dooley play Iago. For those who love Tebaldi this is one that should be bought.

Nino Machaidze and Stephano Secco bring their youthful portrayals of Romeo and Juliet to Verona. The performance was one of the most acclaimed at the Verona season and is one that many are sure to enjoy. Belair releases the DVD.

The final release of the month is the CD of Carmen with Magdalena Kozena and Jonas Kaufmann conducted by Simon Rattle. The performance from Berlin was magnetic and had critics raving wanting more. Rattle's conducting was also riveting and brought new insight to the work. This is one that will have to go on opera fan's shelves.