Operavox

Carmen by Georges Bizet. The story of the passionate life and tragic death of a gypsy girl. Carmen is portrayed by flamenco dancer Carmela Romero and the role is sung Jean Rigby , with Julie Higginson providing her speaking voice.

Mozart's masterpiece gets a light-hearted cartoon treatment. Sung by Neill Archer, Alwyn Mellor, John Connell, Jennifer Rhys Davies, Rebecca Evans and Simon Keenlyside. With the orchestra and chorus of the Welsh National Opera.

The first part of Wagner's Ring Cycle gets the sword-and-sorcery treatment in this cartoon version, complete with giants, dragons and Rhine maidens. The tale is set in the mythic past when mighty Wotan first built Valhalla as a home for the Teutonic gods. Sung by Phillip Joll, Penelope Walker, Janice Watson, Paul Charles Clarke, Peter Sidhorn, John Connell, Stephen Richardson, Julie Gossage. With the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.

Notorious rogue Figaro steals centre stage in Rossini's famous comedy. The film, a success at the 1995 New York Television Festival, is set in a theatre where all the cast and even the scene shifters are six-inch wooden puppets. With soloists, chorus and the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. Director Natalia Dabizha

The well-known aria Nessun Dorma marks the climax of Puccini's final work. Set in ancient Peking, it is the story of the dispossessed wanderer Calafwho falls underthe spell of the beautiful but cruel Princess Turandot. The roles are sung here by Edmund Barham and Jane Eaglen. With soloists, chorus and orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.