Deutsche Grammophon Releases Anna Bolena, Live from the Vienna State Opera with Anna Netrebko and Elīna Garanča

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Deutsche Grammophon continues to release significant opera performances from the greatest stages around the world on DVD and BluRay with this Anna Bolena, live from the Vienna State Opera starring Anna Netrebko. Not only was Netrebko’s role debut considered a triumph but she was joined by an all-star cast including Elīna Garanča and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (both Deutsche Grammophon recording artists) in this new production. The excitement surrounding this production prompted the performance to be live broadcast on radio and in movie theaters throughout Europe. The DVD release is available today and will be followed by the BluRay in late December.

With her sensational role debut at the Vienna State Opera, Anna Netrebko takes “one giant leap forward to claiming the title of diva assoluta del mondo” (Opera News) with a performance of rare vocal and dramatic power. As the unjustly accused wife of King Henry VIII, she sings the role “veering between indignant fury and tender righteousness” and demonstrating a new level of confidence in her technique with excellent “passagework, particularly in trills, and seamless runs even to the lowest notes.” (Opera News) Of the Vienna performance the New York Times reported that “Ms. Netrebko scored a personal triumph as Anna Bolena, in what may be her greatest achievement since her “Traviata” at the 2005 Salzburg Festival.”

For this production Netrebko was joined by mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča who brought her lush voice and dramatic instincts to the role as Anna’s rival, Giovanna Seymour. The two stars came together in an unforgettable confrontation scene full of power and vocal glamour. The New York Times said that “passion runs deep in Seymour, and Ms. Garanča’s fervently acted, opulently sung portrayal gives full vent to them.”

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