Classical HD DVDs From Opus Arte (Updated January 30)

[January 4, 2008] New Announcements... Verdi - Il trovatore HD DVD scheduled for Feb 2008 in the United Kingdom.
[January 30, 2008] Cover Artwork for Verdi - Il trovatore HD DVD updated...

Opus Arte has announced a number of classical HD DVD releases, that will be available for sale in the United Kingdom and in North America too.

Verdi - Il trovatore HD DVD
UK: Released / North America: March 25, 2008

• 1080i High Definition 16x9
• Dolby TrueHD 5.0 & 2.0 audio options
• English, French, German & Spanish subtitle options
• Extra features:
  - Meet the cast and their characters.
  - All about Schläger - preparations for the fight scenes.
  - Designing Il trovatore – behind-the-scenes with the director and the costume and set designers.
  - Illustrated synopsis.

Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne HD DVD
UK: Released (£34.99 RRP) / North America: Feb 26, 2008 ($39.99 SRP)

The celebrated Cecilia Bartoli joins Bryn Terfel for a recital of arias and duets recorded at the beautifully refurbished Glyndebourne Opera House. The programme features favourite pieces from Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Myung-Whun Chung.

• 1080i High Definition 16x9
• Dolby TrueHD 5.1 & 2.0 audio options
• English, French & German subtitle options

Strauss II, J - Die Fledermaus HD DVD
UK: Released (£29.99 RRP) / North America: January 29, 2008 ($39.99 SRP)

• 1080i High Definition 16x9
• Dolby TrueHD 5.0 & 2.0 audio options
• English, French, German, Spanish & Dutch subtitle options
• Extra features:
  - Cast interviews with Thomas Allen, Pamela Armstrong, Håkan Hagegård, director Stephen Lawless and conductor Vladimir Jurowski.
  - A feature on the building and architecture of Glyndebourne’s new opera house.
  - BBC feature on the Waltz.
  - Costume design and cast galleries

*****

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (HD DVD)
UK: Released (£29.99 RRP) / North America: Released ($39.99 SRP)

• 1080i High Definition 16x9 1.78:1
• DTS 5.0 & 2.0 48kHz/24-bit
• English, French, German, Italian & Spanish subtitle options
• Extra features:
  - Illustrated Synopsis
  - Cast gallery

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte HD DVD
UK: Released (£29.99 RRP) / North America: Released ($39.99 SRP)

• 1080i High Definition 16x9
• Dolby TrueHD 5.1 & 2.0
• English, French, German (Extra features only) & Spanish subtitle options
• Extra features:
  - Illustrated synopsis of the opera
  - Cast Gallery
  - BBC feature looks behind the scenes at this production
  - Conductor Sir Colin Davis talks about Die Zauberflöte

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream HD DVD
UK: Released (£29.99 RRP) / North America: Released ($39.99 SRP)

• 1080i High Definition 16x9
• Dolby TrueHD 5.1 & 2.0
• Extra features:
  - Cast Gallery

It seems that Opus Arte has plans to release the following titles on HD DVD in 2008, according to this source. Please note that the release list is subject to change.

• Berlioz: Les Troyens (Theatre du Chatelet) HD DVD - ETA: Apr 2008
• Rossini: La Cenerentola (Glyndebourne) HD DVD - ETA: May 2008
• Wagner: Parsifal (Baden Baden) HD DVD - ETA: Jun 2008
• Amelia: A Film by Edouard Lock HD DVD - ETA: Jul 2008