Il Viaggio a Reims: Théâtre Du Châtelet (Gergiev) (2005)

Alain Maratrat's highly original and clever production of Il Viaggio a Reims, developed over several seasons by the Théâtre du Châtelet and the Mariinsky Theatre, took both theatres by storm. A radiant Valery Gergiev whips up a cast of brilliant young singers from the Academy of the Mariinsky Theatre to unbelievable heights in a colourful, witty rendering that reinvigorates Rossini's last Italian opera. Captured in High Definition video and true surround sound, the detail of this vigorous celebration of music and singing almost bursts from the screen, as fresh as it was when premiered in Paris in 1825.