Opus Arte | High-Def Digest

HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "OPUS ARTE"

Opus Arte Sets May Arrival for Strauss' 'Die Fledermaus' Blu-ray

Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Opus Arte (all tags)

Opus Arte is planning a late-May debut for its latest Blu-ray release, 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus.'

Originally released on HD DVD earlier this year, Opus Arte has set a May 27 Blu-ray street date for this BBC production of Strauss' famed comedic operetta, which includes performances and music from the The Glyndebourne Chorus and London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.

The complete 196-minute program will be presented on a BD-50 dual-layer disc, in 1080i/VC-1 video and offering audio flavors in PCM 5.0 Surround and 2.0 Stereo (versus the Dolby TrueHD tracks found on the HD DVD). English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian subtitles are also offered.

Extras include interviews with the cast, multiple still galleries highlighting the costumes and stage design, and two featurettes, one on the building and architecture of Glyndebourne’s new opera house, and the second a BBC feature on the Waltz.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 27.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Strauss: Die Fledermaus (Blu-ray)
Strauss: Die Fledermaus (HD DVD)

Mozart's 'Die Zauberflote' Headed to Blu-ray this Spring

Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Opus Arte (all tags)

Opus Arte has announced a late-April debut for its latest Blu-ray music release, 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote.'

Shot with high-definition cameras and originally broadcast on the BBC, this 2003 production of 'Die Zauberflote' features Mozart interpreter Sir Colin Davis conducting the chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House as well as a glittering live cast at London's Covent Garden.

Opus Arte has set an April 29 street date for the Blu-ray, almost six months after first releasing the title on HD DVD back in October 2007.

Specs will mirror the previous HD DVD, with identical 1080p video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio.

The supplement package includes an illustrated synopsis of the opera, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an interview with Sir Colin Davis and a cast photo gallery.

Suggested retail for the Blu-ray has been set $39.98 (also the same as the HD DVD).

You'll find the latest specs for 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 29.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Mozart: Die Zauberflote (Blu-ray)
Mozart: Die Zauberflote (HD DVD)

Verdi's 'Il trovatore' Set for HD DVD

Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Opus Arte (all tags)

In a late-breaking announcement, Opus Arte is bringing its latest musical release 'Guiseppe Verdi: Il trovatore' to HD DVD this week.

Shot entirely in high-definition, 'Il trovatore' features Jose Cura and Dmitri Hvorostovsky leading an all-star cast of Verdi’s blazingly passionate opera, in Elijah Moshinsky’s Royal Opera House production co-produced with Teatro Real Madrid and featuring sets by noted Italian film designer Dante Ferretti.

Opus Arte has set a March 25 street date for the stateside HD DVD release.

Tech specs include 1080i video (at 1.78:1), with Dolby TrueHD tracks in 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo.

Supplements include a suite of three behind-the-scenes featurettes, including "Meet the Cast," "All About Schläger" and "Designing Il trovatore."

Suggested retail price for the HD DVD has been set at $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Guiseppe Verdi: Il trovatore' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Il trovatore' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Verdi: Il Trovatore (HD DVD)

Opus Arte Sets Date for Blu-ray Debut

Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Opus Arte (all tags)

Opus Arte has announced a March arrival for their debut Blu-ray title, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

Long the leading indie distributor of fine arts performances on HD DVD, Opus Arte revealed earlier this month that it was planning to add Blu-ray support to its high-def menu, although at the time it stopped short of issuing any title specifics.

They've now earmarked March 25 for 'Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream' on Blu-ray, which follows the HD DVD version (first released in the US last November).

Specs for the Blu-ray include 1080i video and -- in an apparent departure from the Dolby TrueHD track found on the HD DVD -- uncompressed PCM audio in both 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo.

Extras are consistent with the previous high-def release, with a Cast Gallery the only bonus feature.

Suggested retail for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

As always, you'll find complete specs for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's Blu-ray debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Midsummer Night's Dream' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Blu-ray)
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Opus Arte Adds Blu-ray to High-Def Menu (Feb 14, 2008)

Opus Arte Adds Blu-ray to High-Def Menu

Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Opus Arte (all tags)

Indie distributor Opus Arte is expanding its high-def repertoire, announcing plans to release its first Blu-ray titles beginning this March.

Since first launching its US next-gen support as an HD DVD exclusive distributor in early 2007, Opus Arte has become the leading supplier of "high art" titles on the format, with a growing catalog of releases (including 'Swan Lake,' 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus' and 'Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne').

Opus Arte now says that in a move to broaden it's "long term commitment" to high-definition releases, the company will be adding Blu-ray to the mix. Moving forward, Opus Arte plans to release "as least" two new titles per month on HD DVD and Blu-ray (specific titles may not necessarily be day-and-date on both formats).

At press time, Opus Arte had not yet announced an exact street date for its first Blu-ray release, but the distributor tells us that its debut title, Mendelssohn's "A Midsummers Night's Dream' (which was released on HD DVD last November), is due sometime in late March.

We'll keep you posted on all upcoming future Opus Arte announcements as they are officially confirmed.

In the meantime, we've added 'A Midsummer's Night's Dream' to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (HD DVD)
Strauss: Die Fledermaus (HD DVD)
Cecilia & Bryn At Glyndebourne (HD DVD)
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (HD DVD)

'Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne' Set for HD DVD

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Opus Arte (all tags)

Opus Arte has announced its latest musical release for high-def, bringing 'Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne' to HD DVD late next month.

Shot entirely in high-definition, 'Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne' features favorite pieces from Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti, performed by the celebrated duo of Cecilia Bartoli and Bryn Terfel joined by London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Myung-Whun Chung at the Glyndebourne Opera House.

Opus Arte has set a February 26 street date for the stateside HD DVD release.

Tech specs include 1080i video (at 1.78:1). Audio specs were under wraps at press time.

There are currently no planned supplements, but we'll keep you posted should any additional features be announced.

Retail for the HD DVD is $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 26.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Cecilia & Bryn At Glyndebourne (HD DVD)

Strauss' 'Die Fledermaus' Headed to HD DVD

Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Opus Arte (all tags)

Opus Arte is planning a late January US arrival for its latest high art HD DVD release, 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus.'

Originally released on HD DVD in the UK early last year, Opus Arte has set a January 29 stateside debut for this BBC production of Strauss' famed comedic operetta, which includes performances and music from the The Glyndebourne Chorus and London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.

The complete 196-minute program will be presented on a single HD-30 dual-layer disc, in 1080i/VC-1 video and offering audio flavors in Dolby TrueHD 5.0 Surround and 2.0 Stereo.

Retail for the HD DVD has been set at a suggested price of $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 29.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Strauss: Die Fledermaus' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Strauss: Die Fledermaus (HD DVD)

Balanchine's 'Dream' Bound For HD DVD

Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Opus Arte (all tags)

High art returns to high-def disc later this month, when Opus Arte will debut George Balanchine's ballet adaptation of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on HD DVD.

Released earlier this year in the UK, Opus Arte has now set a November 20 stateside debut for this live 1999 performance of the ballet, which features the Pacific Northwest Ballet with orchestrations by Stewart Kershaw.

Specs are expected to mirror the earlier British release, including 1080i video with Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround audio. A Cast Gallery is the sole bonus feature.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is the third HD DVD title to hit the US from Opus Arte, one of the UK's leading indie distributors of art, classical and opera titles on standard-def DVD. As we've previously reported, earlier this year the distributor issued 'Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake' and 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote.'

Opus has set a suggested retail price of $39.98.

You'll find disc details for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 20.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Midsummer Night's Dream' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (HD DVD)
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (HD DVD)
Mozart: Die Zauberflote (HD DVD)

Opera Hits HD DVD With 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote'

Tue Oct 02, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Opus Arte (all tags)

If you've been thirsting for opera on next-gen disc, mark October 30 on your calendar.

That's the day UK distributor Opus Arte will release 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote' (aka 'Mozart: The Magic Flute') on HD DVD here in the US.

Shot with high-definition cameras and originally broadcast on the BBC, this 2003 production of 'Die Zauberflote' features Mozart interpreter Sir Colin Davis conducting the chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House and a glittering cast live at London's Covent Garden.

The release marks the second HD DVD to hit the states from Opus Arte, one of the UK's leading indie distributors of art, classical and opera titles on standard-def DVD. (Opus previously released 'Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake' this past May.)

Tech specs are TBA, but the supplement package is set to include an illustrated synopsis of the opera, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an interview with Sir Colin Davis and a cast photo gallery.

Opus Arte has set a $39.98 MSRP for this HD DVD.

As always, you'll disc details for 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 30.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Opus Arte's high-def debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Mozart: Die Zauberflote' HD DVD release.