Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame [The Queen of Spades];

The Queen of Spades was the opera that won Tchaikovsky the most popular acclaim in his lifetime, and with good reason. It's a powerfully dramatic story that offered the composer some irresistible opportunities. The Rococo setting encouraged Tchaikovsky to have a lot of fun in writing fake classical period dance and vocal music. But into this light-hearted and elegant atmosphere, the story itself presents the darkest possible picture of pathological obsession--with sex, gambling, money--all those juicy items that great opera seems best able to express. Tchaikovsky certainly rose to the occasion, and so does this excellent performance. With a superb all-Russian cast, it's without question the one to have. --David Hurwitz