Good news for those of us wanting more of Covent Garden's productions to see the light of day on DVD:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/newsMainTemplate.asp?storyID=2823&newssectionID=1

I think the quality of Opus Arte DVDs is very high. They have issued a number of productions filmed in Barcelona and the Netherlands recently - I hope these don't dry up, but I'd welcome more ROH productions appearing.

Well, recently the ROH has had the capacity to film their own productions and rumours abound that they've got La fille du regiment and Carmen taped, which would be good news as they both received very good reviews. I saw Carmen and thought it one of the best things I've seen the ROH do in recent years.

The Chailly DC? Four acts - Villazon very good, Robert Lloyd vocally past his best, but a convincing Philip, Dwayne Croft fine as Posa, Amanda Roocroft a bit out of her depth (for me) as Elisabetta, Violeta Urmana good as Eboli. Willy Decker production, big on dramatic stonework and use of the cross. Only seen it once on rental, but would consider buying it if I saw it at the right price!