MASSENET Thais

 

Renée Fleming (Thaïs)

Thomas Hampson (Athanaël)

Michael Schade (Nicias)

Orchestra & Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera, New York

Conductor: Jesús López-Cobos

Stage Director: John Cox

 

Renée Fleming triumphs as the glamorous courtesan Thaïs in Massenet’s romantic tragedy set in fourth century Alexandria and the Egyptian desert. The timeless struggle between earthly desire and spiritual redemption finally destroys the resolve of the monk Athanaël (Thomas Hampson), just as the newly penitent Thaïs ascends heavenward. Jesús López-Cobos gives a masterly performance of Massenet’s sensuous score, with concert master David Chan contributing a ravishing ‘Méditation’.

SUBTITLES: English, French (sung language), German, Spanish, Chinese

PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9 (anamorphic widescreen), Colour, NTSC, Region code 0 (worldwide)

SOUND FORMAT: LPCM Stereo & DTS 5.1 Surround

BONUS FEATURE: 'Backstage at the MET', presented by Plácido Domingo, featuring interviews with Fleming and Hampson

 

Decca DVD 0743355