Anna Netrebko, Lise Davidsen, Magdalena Kožená, Gerald Finley, Anita Hartig & Sonia Prina Lead CD/DVD Releases
By Francisco SalazarWelcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world.
This week, two of the most famous divas release new albums, both from important concert performances. There are also some world premiere recordings, a Puccini work, and a baroque video recording.
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater
Deutsche Grammophon continues its joint label Verbier Festival Gold. This time, the company releases a live recording of Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” from 20023, starring Anna Netrebko and Magdalena Kožená. They join forces with Giovanni Antonini and Il Giardino Armonico to bring Pergolesi’s last composition to celestial heights.
Der Fliegende Holländer
Decca Classics releases a new recording of “Der Fliegende Holländer,” marking the first full-length opera recording on the label from Lise Davidsen.
The recording was captured live over two nights at the opera house in Oslo during the summer of 2024.
The live recording of “Der fliegende Holländer” will also mark Davidsen’s only-ever performance as Senta. Joining the soprano on the recording are Gerald Finley as the Dutchman, Anna Kissjudit, Stanislas De Barbeyrac, Eirik Grøtvedt, and Brindley Sherratt. Edward Gardner conducted the performances marking his debut as the new Music Director of The Norwegian Opera and Ballet.
For Our Common Home
Resounding Ecojustice is an impassioned appeal to preserve the Earth that nourishes us — and like its subject, it is ethereally beautiful. This oratorio is based on Laudato Si’, an encyclical issued by Pope Francis calling on humanity to acknowledge the urgency of the environmental crisis and work toward building a just and sustainable world.
Holst: Beni Mora, Op. 29 No. 1 & Choral Symphony, Op. 41
SOMM Recordings continues its celebration of the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst. The album includes a stereo recording of Holst’s three-movement suite Beni Mora and a live performance of the Choral Symphony. Both are played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Britten Shostakovich – Music based on texts by Michelangelo
Brilliant Classics releases Mark Milhofer and Mirco Palazzi’s album with pianist Marco Scolastra. The album includes the works Benjamin Britten and Dmitrij Shostakovich.
Puccini: Le Villi
BR Klassik’s releases a recording of Puccini’s first stage work featuring Anita Hartig, Kang Wang, and Boris Pinkhasovich. The Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks and Münchner Rundfunkorchester are conducted by Ivan Repušić.
Vivaldi: Il Bajazet
Teatro La Fenice’s production of Vivaldi’s work will be released on Dynamic. The cast includes Renato Dolcini, Sonia Prina, Loriana Castellano, Raffaele Pe, Lucia Cirillo, and Valeria La Grotta with Federico Maria Sardelli conducting. Fabio Ceresa directs the production.
