Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel (DVD)
“…the music is superbly sung and acted by an all-Russian cast. Dmitry Ulyanov makes a suitably grubby, idiotic Tsar (Rimsky’s score was premiered after the composer’s death in censored form due to its clear satirical content), while Nina Minasyan is a scintillating Queen and Andrei Popov an eerie Astrologer.
Meanwhile the brilliance and colour of Rimsky-Korsakov’s unusual harmonies and orchestration register impressively, with Rustioni and the Lyon forces on consistently impressive form.”
BBC Music Magazine, George Hall