24 June 2013 at 4.27pm | Comment on this article
Laurent Pelly's production of Giacomo Meyerbeer's rarely staged Robert le diable has been released on DVD and is available from the ROH Shop.
Story
The opera tells the story of Robert, Duke of Normandy, who travels to Sicily in the hope of marrying Princess Isabelle. His sinister companion Bertram, however, threatens to lead him astray. Read our Opera Essentials guide to Robert le diable.
Performance
The 2012 production of the opera saw the work's first Covent Garden staging since 1890. The release stars Olivier Award-winning Bryan Hymel, Marina Poplavskaya and John Reylea. Read audience reaction to the opening night.
Grand opera
Robert le diable is a classic grand opera and constructed on a massive scale with dances and extended choruses as well as introspective arias and intense duets. In a guest blog post by historian and author Simon Schama, it was described as being 'bigger, louder, more everything'.
Watch a clip from the notorious ballet of the nuns scene, immortalized in art by Edgar Degas:
Robert le diable is available on DVD from the Royal Opera House Shop.
24 June 2013 at 4.27pm
This article has been categorised Opera and tagged Ballet of the Nuns, Bryan Hymel, by Laurent Pelly, DVD, Giacomo Meyerbeer, grand opera, Production, rarity, Robert le diable, Shop