Anna Pirozzi, Ian Bostridge, Lars Vogt & Krassimira Stoyanova Lead New CD/DVD Releases

By Francisco Salazar

This week audiences will get to hear the final recording of one of the greatest pianists of his generation, a rare verismo opera, an original version of a Verdi opera, and modern works. Here is a look!

Zingari 

Opera Rara releases its recording of Leoncavallo’s “Zingari” internationally via Warner Classics. Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi conducts the restored original version of the opera as it was first heard over 100 years ago. Recorded in the studio prior to a performance at London’s Cadogan Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the opera stars Krassimira Stoyanova in the role of Fleana, Arsen Soghomonyan as Radu, Stephen Gaertner as Tamar and Łukasz Goliński as Il Vecchio.

Croisette: Opérettes des Annees Folles

Taking its name from la Croisette, the beachside boulevard in glamorous Cannes on the Côte d’Azur, this album evokes the fun-loving 1920s. It takes a trip around opérettes, French musical comedies of the era, composed by Maurice Yvain, Henri Christiné, Moisés Simons, Reynaldo Hahn, André Messager and Raoul Moretti. Joining the Orchestre national de Cannes and its music director, Benjamin Levy, are eight leading French singers, all admired in opera: sopranos Patricia Petibon, Amel Brahim-Djelloul and Marion Tassou; mezzo-soprano Pauline Sabatier; tenors Philippe Talbot and Rémy Mathieu; baritone Guillaume Andrieux, and bass-baritone Laurent Naouri.

The Lost Birds

Decca Classics releases two-time Grammy winning composer Christopher Tin’s latest album, “The Lost Birds.” The new album features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and renowned vocal ensemble VOCES8.

Mass of the Americas

Cappella Records releases Frank La Rocca’s Mass of the Americas (Misa de las Américas), performed by the Benedict XVI Institute’s Choir and Orchestra, directed by renowned international conductor Richard Sparks. The work extends the genre of the Missa Solemnis: a sublime setting of a traditional Latin Mass for choir and orchestra.

Schubert: Schwanengesang

Tenor Ian Bostridge completes his Pentatone trilogy of Schubert song cycles with a rendition of “Schwanengesang,” together with the late pianist Lars Vogt. “Schwanengesang” was compiled and published after Schubert’s death, and the pieces are literally among his swansong.

In a statement, the recording company said, “Pentatone is very grateful that Vogt managed to make this recording despite a serious medical condition and Sadly, he eventually did not live to see the album’s release.”

Gordon Getty: Goodbye, Mr. Chips Highlights

Gordon Getty’s new opera, reimagined for film, is based on the popular 1934 novella “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” and other stories by James Hilton. Goodbye, Mr. Chips tells the story of a teacher at Brookfield, an all-boys English boarding school to which “Chips” dedicates most of his adult life. The film chronicles Chips’ story of love, loss, and learning over his decades-long tenure at Brookfield. This EP features some of the opera’s greatest arias and scenes, including its profoundly moving finale.

The film stars Nathan Granner in the titular role of Mr. Chips, Marnie Breckenridge singing Kathie and Linford, Lester Lynch as Merrivale, and Kevin Short as Ralston and Rivers. The orchestra is conducted by Nicole Paiement. Members of The Young People’s Chorus of New York City, conducted by Founder/Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, represent the boarding school’s students.

Gustavo III

Dynamic is set to release Verdi’s “Un ballo in maschera.” The production, which premiered in 2021 was originally conceived by Graham Vick and ended up being directed by Jacopo Spirei. The production from the Verdi Festival starred tenor Piero Pretti in the title role and soprano Anna Pirozzi as Amelia, soprano Giuliana Gianfaldoni as Oscar, and mezzo Anna Maria Chiuri as Ulrica. The baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat sings the role of Anckarström.

Roberto Abbado leads the Chorus of the Teatro Regio di Parma and the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini.

 

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