Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world.

This week, a diva says goodbye to classical music, while there are several rare operas and oratorios. Here are this week’s new releases.

Dog Days / Thumbprint

Bright Shiny Things reissues two operas that have been out of print for nearly two years: David T. Little and Royce Vavrek’s “Dog Days” and Kamala Sankaram’s “Thumbprint.”

David T. Little and Royce Vavrek’s “Dog Days” is led by conductor Alan Pierson, and features baritone James Bobick, soprano Marnie Breckenridge, tenor Michael Marcotte, tenor Peter Tantsits, and soprano Lauren Worsham.

“Thumbprint” Features baritone Manu Narayan, mezzo-soprano Phyllis Pancella, bass-baritone Steve Gokool, tenor Kannan Vasudevan, and soprano Leela Subramaniam. Conductor Samuel McCoy leads the production.

Oiseaux de passage

La Dolce Vita releases the final album from Natalie Dessay and Philippe Cassard.

The duo she formed in 2011 has given one hundred and thirty-five performances around the world, completely reinventing the song recital as a unique moment of expression, embodiment, and shared emotion. Ten years after her last appearance at the Opera Bastille in “La Fille du Régiment,” she has chosen to give her farewell performance on the stage of the Palais Garnier on March 31, 2025.

The album includes music by André Previn, Stephen Sondheim, Gian Carlo Menotti, Samuel Barber, Ernest Chausson, Reynaldo Hahn, Maurice Ravel, Louis Beydts, and Francis Poulenc.

Rameau: Pigmalion & Bailleux: Pigmalion

Château de Versailles releases “Pigmalion” told by two different composers. The features Mathias Vidal, the Choeur de l’Opéra Royal, and Ensemble Il Caravaggio. Camille Delaforge conducts.

Philidor: Ernelinde, princesse de Norvège

Château de Versailles releases this rarely performed opera starring Judith van Wanroij, Reinold Van Mechelen, Thomas Dolié, and Matthieu Lécroart. Martin Wåhlberg conducts the Vox Nidrosiensis.

Ponchielli: I Lituani

Accentus releases Ponchielli’s rarely performed opera with a cast that includes Jūratė Švedaitė-Waller, Kristian Benedikt, Modestas Sedlevičius, and Tadas Girininkas. The Kaunas State Choir and Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra are conducted by Modestas Pitrėnas.

Rebelle: Hommage à Célestine Galli-Marié

Alpha Classics celebrates the 150th anniversary of Georges Bizet’s death and the premiere of his undyingly popular “Carmen” in partnership with the Palazzetto Bru Zane, pays tribute to Célestine Galli-Marié (1840–1905), the brilliant mezzo-soprano who first sang the title role. French mezzo Eva Zaïcik performs music by Bizet, Offenbach, Thomas, Massenet, Émile Paladilhe, Ferdinand Poise, Louis Deffès, Victor Massé, Ernest Guiraud, Jules Cohen, and Albert Grisar.

Por los Montes de Coñares: Music and Eroticism in the Spanish Golden Age

Brilliant Classics releases an album featuring Amystis, La Chimera Consort, and José Duce Chenoll. The album features ten composers, including Juan del Encina, Gaspar Sanz, Luis de Briceño, Diego Pisador, Juan Bon, and Juan Arañés.

Spain on Fire: Divine and Human Passions in the Spanish Baroque

Challenge Classics release a collection of Spanish songs with Quiteria Muñoz, the Accademia del Piacere and Fahmi Alqhai.

Electric Fields

Alpha Classics releases an album featuring Barbara Hannigan, Katia and Marielle Labèque, and David Chalmin. Inspired by the cosmic compositions and contemplations of this medieval polymath, the latest album features music by Barbara Strozzi, Francesca Caccini, David Chalmin, and Bryce Dessner.

Requiem A

In a statement, Helbig said, “This aria tells of the desperate journey back to life after profound loss. Its words linger on an uncertain threshold — letting go of what is gone, while yearning for release from the torment of longing. The piece is a fervent testament to the idea that renewal is always within reach – the sun rises from mist or smoke. Smoke here can represent all forms of loss or conflict.”