This week two complete opera DVDs will be released as well as a single, which will donate all funds to an artist relief fund. Der Zwerg Naxos releases a production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin of Alexander von Zemlinsky’s one-act adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s “Birthday of the Infanta,” “Der Zwerg.” In this acclaimed production by Tobias Kratzer, the work stars {…}
This week three full operas are released. One comes from one of the leading tenors of his generation and the other is a debut recording from a renowned composer. Here is a look at what we recommend. Otello Sony Classical releases the full studio recording of Verdi’s masterpiece opera with Jonas Kaufmann singing the title role and Antonio Pappano conducting {…}
This week as you continue at home, there are a number of new albums that you can check out. Here are the latest releases we recommend you listen to. Cavalleria Rusticana Marek Janowski and the Dresdner Philharmonie present a new recording of Mascagni’s masterpiece. The new recording brings together an acclaimed group of soloists Melody Moore as Santuzza, Brian Jagde {…}
This week four new recordings will be released. There will be three you can stream and another that will be on video. Check them out. Mi Corazon Mexican American soprano Ailyn Pérez releases her second solo album exclusively on Apple Music & iTunes. The album Mi Corazón (“My Heart”) honors the soprano’s family, friends, mentors, and idols through the exploration {…}
(Credit: Andrew Bogard) Tzadik Records has announced that it will release David Hertzberg’s “The Wake World” on April 24, 2020, making the debut recording of the work. “The Wake World” had its world premiere at Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O17 in a production directed by R.B. Schlather at The Barnes Foundation. The opera won the Music Critics Association of North America’s {…}
As so much of the world hunkers down during a pandemic that has shuttered live music venues for the foreseeable future, there’s no better time than now to discover new music. “Off the Beaten Track” highlights an album of note–not necessarily a new recording, but one that has caught my attention as I explore the universe of classical vocal music. {…}
This week, two divas release new albums dedicated to Beethoven and French opera. Here is a look. Elle Marina Rebeka will release her fourth solo album and her second for Prima Classic. 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 {…}
For those stuck at home due to quarantine, these are the latest CD and DVD releases we recommend! Here is a look. Der Freischütz Oehmsclassics releases Weber’s beloved work from Aalto Musiktheater starring Maximilian Schmidt, Jessica Muirhead, Heiko Trinsinger, and Tamara Banjesevic. Tomas Netopil conducts the new CD recording. Les Contes d’Hoffmann C Major releases Tobias Kratzer’s production of Offenbach’s masterpiece. {…}
(Credit: Greg Locke © 2018.) David Pomeroy is set to release his debut album. The recognized tenor, who recorded the album from Feb. 10 to 13, 2020, will present 10 of opera’s greatest tenor arias with the 65 musicians of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and conductor Marc David at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL. The arias included in the {…}
This week sees the release of two debut albums and a special performance of “Die Walküre.” Mélodies Adriana Gonzalez releases 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 {…}
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 {…}