Latest Music DVDs reviewed

BIZET: CARMEN

Soloists: Anna Caterina Antonacci, Jonas Kaufmann, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, Norah Amsellem. Covent Garden Orchestra & Chorus. Conductor: Antonio Pappano

Decca ****

This staging of Carmenin 2007 at Covent Garden was greeted with critical and public acclaim. The debut of the exciting young German tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Don Jose was hyped up, and he doesn't disappoint. He has the looks and the spinto voice required for this role, and is a truly tragic figure at the climax of the opera. As Carmen, reclusive Italian Mezzo Anna Catherina Antonacci is both energetic and sultry, although the role tests her technique at times. Norah Ansellem (a previous winner of the Veronica Dunne Singing Competition) sings Micaela well if a little blandly, while Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (as Escamillo) lacks swagger. The staging is energetic and flamboyant, although the emphasis on muted colours hardly suggests Seville in the hot afternoon. Antonio Pappano gives the marvelous score a sensuous sheen. www.decca.com/dvd COLMAN MORRISSEY

AC/DC

Let There be Rock

Nova/Pinnacle ****

What with the new album ( Black Ice) released and gig dates in Ireland locked in for next April, the time is ripe for anyone of an AC/DC disposition to sit back, relax and play air guitar to their heart's content. What this DVD package lacks in subtlety (not that that's ever been a trait of the band) it makes up for in quantity: more than 200 minutes of prime AC/DC rifferama. Aside from classic Back in Blackperformance footage, there is a raft of "critical appraisal" material, featuring producer Tony Platt and AC/DC expert Paul Stenning. Beyond that, it's reminiscences and overviews from the most unlikely of sources, including members of tribute bands, and separate discs that focus on the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson years. There's also a hefty booklet to flick through should you want to rest your air guitar. Extras? What, you want more? That's just plain greedy. TONY CLAYTON-LEA