Naxos Music Group has bought the DVD label Opus Arte, which specialises in opera, ballet and theatre, from London’s Royal Opera House.

Opus Arte has an impressive track record,making frequent appearances in Gramophone’s DVD of the month slot, most recently in our Awards issue with its release of Brett Dean’s Hamlet.

The move consolidates a longstanding partnership between the two organisations – Naxos has been distributing Opus Arte almost since its launch in 1999. In buying the label, Naxos also becomes owner of Opus Arte’s 600-strong catalogue, including from Covent Garden, as well as Glyndebourne, the Royal Opera House and the Globe theatre.

Naxos has also signed a long-term agreement with the Royal Opera House which will give it 'the first option to distribute and market new and upcoming audiovisual recordings of opera and ballet performances from the Royal Opera House on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as to television, video on demand platforms and educational and other licensing partners'.

According to a statement from Naxos Chairman Klaus Heymann, ‘the experienced team that has run the label for many years will stay on board and develop and further expand the label, to maintain and strengthen its position in the market, now as part of the Naxos Music Group.’