The Biblical story of Belshazzar's hubristic arrogance, set against the valor of the young warrior-leader Cyrus, provided the 20-year-old Rossini with a dramatic story enriched by West-Eastern implications which still speak to us today. For the title role of Cyrus, Rossini wrote what would be his longest-ever contralto role, to which the great Rossini singer Ewa Podles is both naturally attracted and ideally suited. She is partnered by two young stars of Rossini singing, Jessica Pratt and Michael Spyres, and a conductor-scholar, Will Crutchfield, of great experience and sympathy. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true Surround Sound.

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• Meyerbeer: Robert le diable
• Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia (Featuring the San Francisco Opera)
• Donizetti: Gemma Di Vergy
• Heggie: Moby Dick (Featuring the San Francisco Opera)