Music is a rush. I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but when something unexpected hits my ears, stirs up emotion, invokes thoughts of the past, sends a lightning bolt up my spine and rattles my body in a way that causes the person next to me on the train to wonder if I’m having some sort of fit, I want to {…}
Prima Classic has announced Marina Rebeka’s fourth solo album “Elle.” The new album will celebrate the diversity of the female roles in some of the greatest French Opera Arias of the canon including Charpentier’s “Louise,” Gonoud’s “Romeo et Juliette,” Massenet’s “Thaïs,” Bizet’s “Carmen” and “The Pearl Fishers,” Massenet’s “Le Cid,” Debussy’s “L’Enfant Prodigue” and Gonoud’s “Faust.” In the new recording Rebeka {…}
This week will showcase the release of two second albums, a world premiere recording of a rare work, and a series continuation. Here is a look. Morgen Elsa Dreisig follows her debut album “Miroir(s)” with a recital of songs in collaboration with pianist Jonathan Ware. Taking its title, “Morgen,” from one of Richard Strauss’s best-loved lieder, it interweaves his music {…}
(Credit: ROH / CATHERINE ASHMORE) Sony Classical has announced a new recording of Verdi’s “Otello” starring Jonas Kaufmann in the title role. The new recording is also set to star Carlos Alvarez as Iago and Federica Lombardi as Desdemonda with Antonio Pappano conducting the orchestra and choir Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. The new recording will mark Kaufmann’s first CD {…}
This week three new albums are set for release including a compilation by one of the great Mozart interpreters of our time and a complete opera recording of one of Handel’s first works. Mozartismo This new album is a personal retrospective including Rolando Villazón’s favorite tracks, with famous arias from his recordings of Mozart operas “Don Giovanni,” “Cosi fan tutte,” {…}
An up-and-coming soprano makes her debut on record, while another noted baritone, also in his CD debut, presents a series of unique and rarely heard songs by a wide range of composers. Finally, a tribute to brave men and women takes center stage in the final major release of the week. Check it out. Romance Valentina Naforniţa releases her debut {…}
(Credit: Marine Cessat-Begler) Operalia winner Adriana González has announced her debut album. The soprano will release her first album on Audaux Records accompanied by pianist Iñaki Encina Oyón, who is well known for performing neglected and unknown repertoire. The album will delve into early 20th-century French Mélodie with a focus on the exceptional expressive qualities of husband and wife composers Robert {…}
This week, two debut albums will dominate the headlines. There is also a DVD release of an acclaimed production. Here are our recommendations. Overture Ben Bliss has released his new album “Overture” on streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Google Play among others. The new album features music from Bernstein, Donizetti, and Mozart, among others. Street Scene Bel {…}
There will be two important CD releases this week, one from a legendary artists and a second from a historical opening night performance. Here is a look. Farinelli Cecilia Bartoli celebrates over three decades on the Decca Classics label with her latest album commemorating the life and career of the most famous opera singer of the 18th century: the castrato {…}
Alpha Classics has announced mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey’s second album “ARIANNA.” The new album will showcase Lindsey embodying the character of Ariadne, the mythical figure of the abandoned lover whose story has provided potent artistic inspiration for composers from the renaissance period to the present day. The new album will feature three cantatas by Haydn, Handel, and Scarlatti who each provide {…}
This week a soprano celebrates a major anniversary while two acclaimed productions are released on DVD. Here is a look at what we recommend. Plaisir d’Amour Angela Gheorghiu will release her latest CD to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her first recording. In a statement, the soprano said, “Celebrating 25 years since my debut recording with Decca Classics, my very {…}
