Product Description All-time classical favourites from the first ever public concert held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Broadcast live on BBC Television, June 1st 2002. Opera fans are in for a particular treat with Dame Kiri te Kanawa (singing Bizet and Gershwin), Sir Thomas Allen (Rossini and Sir Edward German), and Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu (Puccini and Verdi) sharing the honours. Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich also makes a rare guest appearance with the cello section of the London Symphony Orchestra playing Villa-Lobos. Artists include: Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Sir Thomas Allen, The London Adventist Chorale, Julian Bliss, Ashley Wass, Roberto Bolle, Zenaida Yanowsky, Mstislav Rostropovich with cello section LSO, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, featuring music by Walton, Handel, Bizet, Gershwin, Holst, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, German, Arnold, Mendelsohn, Puccini, Verdi, Elgar and Arne.WorksArne: God Save the Queen; Arnold: Four Irish Dances, Op. 126 - Allegro energico; Four Scottish Songs, Op. 59 - Allegro & Con brio; Four Welsh Songs Op. 138 - Vivace; Bizet: Carmen - Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante; Elgar: Pomp & Circumstance No. 1; German: Merrie England - The Yeomen of England; Gershwin: Porgy & Bess - Summertime; Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 1 'Zadok the Priest'; Music for the Royal Fireworks - Ouverture, La Paix & La Réjouissance; Holst: The Planets - Jupiter; Messager: Solo de concours; Puccini: Tosca - Vissi d'arte; E lucevan le stelle; Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia - Largo al factotum; Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake - Pas de deux; Trad: Great getting-up morning; Jubilee Spiritual; Verdi: La traviata - Libiamo, ne' lieti calici; Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras; Walton: Anniversary FanfareCastDame Kiri Te Kanawa (Soprano)Sir Thomas Allen (Baritone)Mstislav Rostropovich (Cello)Roberto Alagna (Tenor)Angela Gheorghiu (Soprano)Julian Bliss (Clarinet)BBC Symphony Chorus & Orchestra; Sir Andrew DavisProductionCompany: BBC WorldwideDisc InformationCatalogue Number: OA0856DDate of Performance: 2002Running Time: 126 minutesSound: Dolby DigitalAspect Ratio: 16:9 AnamorphicSubtitles: ENLabel: Opus Arte Amazon.com One of the most remarkable things about this recording of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Prom at the Palace--quite apart from the musical goodies on offer--is the opportunity to glimpse inside the royal garden, and see what Her Majesty's principal home looks like from the back. Voyeurism aside, director Bob Coles also catches the palpable sense of occasion and excitement that surrounds the concert, with some swooping camera angles and exciting crowd shots. The music is a mix of classical favorites (Zadok the Priest, "Jupiter" from The Planets, Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks) and a few lesser-known items. The outdoor acoustic is generally handled well, and the soloists all sound wonderful; Angela Gheorghiu stops the show with a passionate account of "Vissi d'Arte" (from Tosca) and 13-year-old clarinetist Julian Bliss gives a remarkably assured performance of Messager's Solo de Concours. Occasionally the BBC Symphony Orchestra loses concentration, but overall this is a fine souvenir of a historic concert. All profits from the sale of the DVD will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Trust. --Warwick Thomson
