DVD + Blu-Ray:
Critics' Choice - Verdi: Il Trovatore

Verdi’s opera of passion, blood, fire and vengeance comes to the stage in an atmospheric production by David Bösch.

The Opus Arte Critics’ Choice series is a diverse range of titles, featuring some of the most acclaimed recordings in the label’s catalogue at a very special price. In this series we celebrate many famous classics while also revisiting some of the more innovative, original and perhaps less well-known productions that the label has long been renowned for showcasing. All the new Critics' Choice releases contain the beautifully designed, original artwork and colour booklets which, along with a new unique cover design uniting all the titles, makes them ideal for collectors.

A quartet of world-class singers bring the principal characters of this searing opera to life. Gregory Kunde stars as the troubadour Manrico, with Lianna Haroutounian as his courageous lover Leonora. Vitaliy Bilyy is the tyrannical Count di Luna, the man who wants Leonora for himself, and Anita Rachvelishvili is Azucena, the mysterious gypsy woman unable to reveal the secret that torments her. Richard Farnes conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Royal Opera Chorus in this exploration of love, cruelty, intense passion and revenge.

“The evening’s musical credentials are unequivocally outstanding.” (Opera Online)

"Verdi's melodrama is given a grand start by Alexander Tsymbalyuk as Ferrando... Lianna Haroutounian... is a devastatingly powerful Leonora... It is well worth a listen.” (WhatsOn Stage ★★★★)

Genre Opera
Composer Guiseppe Verdi
Production Company The Royal Opera
Conductor Richard Farnes
Orchestra / Band Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House
Stage Director David Bösch
Recording location Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Production year 2017
Soloist Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Soloist Lianna Haroutounian
Soloist Francesca Chiejina
Soloist Gregory Kunde
Soloist Vitaliy Bilyy
Soloist Anita Rachvelishvili
Soloist Jonathan Fisher
Soloist Samuel Sakker
Soloist Andrew O’Connor