TheLittleSongbird I have always loved opera(and classical music in general), and while I more appreciate rather than love Stravinsky I have always been fascinated by Le Rossignol. This is a mesmerising version, I loved the mix between the conventional staging and the computer-animated images, the former is always interesting and the latter is used to stunning effects. The costumes and sets are equally wondrous, and the photography only adds to it rather than distract from it. The orchestral playing is taut and also with an ethereal quality when the orchestration calls for it. The conducting is efficient and never lets the production sag in pace. The singing is superb, the obvious standout is the titular role performance of Natalie Dessay, her colouratura and singing in general still continues to dazzle as well as her effortless sounding technique and while it is somewhat toned down in terms of character compared to Marie, Orphelie and Olympia (naturally as they are different roles) she is also charming and fun. Laurent Naouri sings sonorously making a big effort to make his challenging vocal line seem easier than it actually is. Violeta Urmana is a haunting Death and Marie McLaughlin sings and acts her role with a lot of character. In conclusion, a Le Rossignol to watch. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Ilan_Voyager Sure that needs a bit of culture; an Andersen's fairy tale, an Stravinky's opera sung in Russian, subtitles... In the times of LadyGaga and other crap I'm afraid it's not a popular hit. It's a pure marvel of dreams with the music of Stravinsky, and an excellent cast of singers with Nathalie Dessay as the nightingale, Laurent Naoury and a some excellent Russian singers. Not a spoiler but you'll see briefly a 3D singer cross of a crooner and Jackson the crotch grabber. Even if it's not part of your habitual repertory, try it, open your mind and discover an other world of intelligence and beauty. You Tube has many extracts; try the search Le Rossignol, Stravinsky, Nightingale.

melymbrosia This is a wonderful adaptation of Igor Stravinsky's opera The Nightingale, based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The film was broadcast on PBS's Great Performances on December 21. The opera is sung entirely in Russian, but is subtitled in English, and it is easy to follow the dialogue and story. I was mesmerized by the surrealistic, computer-animated special effects, although I realize they are probably not everyone's piece of cake. Accompanied by the stunning animation, the film follows Stravinsky's score and libretto faithfully, thus creating a dazzling multimedia spectacle. I recommend this film wholeheartedly to opera fans and lovers of Surrealist art. A well-deserved 10 stars!