Pique Dame (complete opera recorded in 2010)

"Lado Ataneli's Tomsky is a fine interpretation, his bright voice standing up well; and Ludovic Tezier as Yeletsky truly shines in his aria. Almost walking away with the show is Ewa Podles as the Old Countess. Today, this part is mostly taken by sopranos on their way out, singing in slim but characterful voices. Podles, on the other hand, is in full control of her considerable resources, the voice booming when it must and scaled back for her lovely ballad. Her stupendous overacting in her death scene is camp of the highest level; helped by the lighting (by Albert Faura), she is a one-woman Halloween party."
(ClassicsToday Aug 2011)

Obsessive in gambling and in love, the soldier Hermann is the protagonist of Tchaikovsky's Pique Dame, based on a story by Pushkin. He is smitten with the aristocratic Lisa and fixated on learning the winning secret of 'the three cards' from her grandmother, the Countess, played by iconic contralto Ewa Podles. This opulent production from Barcelona's Liceu captures St Petersburg in the era of Catherine the Great, while the house's Music Director Michael Boden conducts a large and impressive cast.

Extra features:

Cast Gallery

Running time 183 mins

Region Code All regions

Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic

Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Menu languages EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES/CA