For the third year in a row, soprano Anna Netrebko opened the Met's season last October, this time starring as Tatiana in the Russian opera based on Pushkin's novel about unrequited love. Marius Kwiecien sings as Eugene and tenor Piotr Beczala is Lenski.
As usual the staging is on a grand scale, with some wonderful dancing interludes brightening the 164-minute production. The big orchestra is conducted by Valery Gergiev, music director of the Marlinsky Theatre, St Petersburg.
Stereo sound is excellent, matched by high-definition filming. Directed by actress Fiona Shaw, this passionately lyrical, romantic drama was moved from its original 1820s setting to the 1870s, the time of the work's composition and the music is great Tchaikovsky.
Highlights: Fine singing, lavish costumes, exciting staging.
Wellerstein was described by the New York Times as one of the most exciting American cellists of the new generation. Dvorak wrote this concerto in New York, but it was recorded in Prague with the Czech Philharmonic, going back to the composer's home country.
The soloist gives a radiant performance of the popular work, whereas the orchestra under Jiri Belohlavek seems at times restrained to be more expressive.
Pianist Anna Polonsky accompanies for the rest of the CD in six ''encore'' lyrical works by Dvorak arranged for cello, ranging from the sweetness of Goin' Home, to the fiery gypsy flavour of Slavonic Dance No.8.
Included are Songs My Mother Taught Me and a masterly performance of Silent Woods.
Highlight: Passion in Concerto finale.
