A Mozart gala from Salzburg.

This concert, filmed in Salzburg's Felsenreitschule during the 2006 celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth, features seven outstanding international Mozart singers: sopranos Anna Netrebko (Russia), Patricia Petibon (France) and Ekaterina Siurina (Russia); mezzo Magdalena Kozena (Czech Republic); tenor Michael Schade (Canada); baritone Thomas Hampson (United States); and bass Rene Pape (Germany). Apart from Hampson, whose voice shows signs of wear and tear, it is a splendid affair, sympathetically partnered by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of England's Daniel Harding.

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During the 1956 Mozart bicentennial celebrations, Leopold Simoneau was the reigning Mozart tenor.Fifty years on, another Canadian wears that coveted crown. Fortunately, Michael Schade was given two arias in this gala--Don Ottavio's lyrical "Dalla suapace" from Don Giovanni and Tito's "Se all'impero, amici Die" from La clemenza di Tito. Other highlights include Leporello's Catalogue Aria (sung deliciously by Pape) and Sesto's demanding "Parto, parto, ma tu ben mio" (brilliantly negotiated by Kozena). The highlight, however, is Netrebko's fiery performance of Elettra's "D'Oreste, d'Aiace'' from ldomeneo.

The concert concludes with a stylish performance of Symphony No. 38 ("Prague").

Deutsche Grammophon: 073 4430