This week,two unmissable DVDs land in stores. The first stars one of today’s acclaimed Puccini divas while the other stars one of the greatest tenors of his generation. Check it out! Tosca Kristine Opolais highlights Euroarts’ new “Tosca” from Baden-Baden. The production, which opened during the Easter Festival to mixed reviews, showcases the soprano at the top of her powers and also {…}
After a week full of high-profile releases, the offerings are rather sparse. The main offering highlights the work of a famed conductor and his operatic legacy. Another highlights a production of one of the greatest operas of all time. Claudio Abbado: The Opera Edition Also available throughout Europe is a 60-disc set entitled “Claudio Abbado: The Opera Edition.” Among the operas {…}
Decca Classics has announced “Der Rosenkavalier” from the Metropolitan Opera. The historical performance features Renée Fleming’s farewell to her signature role as the Marschallin and Elīna Garanča’s final performance in a pants role. The cast also includes Gunther Groissböck and Erin Morley in Robert Carsen’s new prosuction. Regarding Fleming’s performance, OperaWire noted, “Her overall interpretation of the character was to depict the Marschallin {…}
A week after superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann released his latest album, the other major stars of the opera world will unveil their latest recordings. It’s a big week with too many incredible choices. Here we go. Mozart Juan Diego Flórez’s first album fully dedicated to Mozart is conducted by Riccardo Minasi and features music from “Idomeneo,” “Die Zauberflöte,” “Don Giovanni,” {…}
There aren’t as many releases this week, though there is undeniably one that will have everyone’s attention, especially since it comes from the world’s greatest tenor. L’Opera Jonas Kaufmann’s new album, his first fully dedicated to the French repertoire is sure to be one of the hot holiday purchases. The tenor sings arias from Bizet, Meyerbeer, Massenet, Thomas, Berlioz, and {…}
After a week of releases dominated by Maria Callas, European opera lovers are getting a ton of options for quality recordings from the world’s greatest artists. In the US, one major CD release will steal headlines. Duets Rolando Villazón and Ildar Abdrazakov’s new duets, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin will arrive on shelves in the US this week and features duets {…}
We are not even going to beat around the bush here. This week’s releases come down to one artist – Maria Callas. Arguably THE singular most important opera singer of all time will get yet another re-release from Warner Classics, but with a major twist. The company is releasing a whopping 42-CD release of 20 complete operas, a Blu-Ray disc {…}
Three diverse albums are set for release from a rising star, an established tenor, and a legendary mezzo soprano. Find out what’s in store for this week. Cleopatra Rising star Regula Muhlemann will release a new album for Sony Classical dedicated to Cleopatra in opera. The album features arias from “Giulio Cesare” and ” Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra. ” Robin Peter Muller {…}
Kristine Opolais’ “Tosca” will be released on DVD. The production, which premiered last April at the Baden Baden Easter Festival, is scheduled for release on Oct. 20. The opera also stars Marcelo Alvarez and Marco Vratogna. Simon Rattle conducted the performance which was met with mixed reviews. When the production opened the Financial Times noted that it was “a bitterly disappointing {…}
This week one of the greatest opera stars in the world will release her first crossover album, while two rising stars team up for distinct Bel canto albums. Meanwhile, Decca releases a new compilation of Pavarotti’s favorite arias. Romanza Anna Netrebko releases a new CD this week entitled “Romanza.” The CD marks Netrebko’s first crossover album featuring love songs written {…}
Diana Damrau’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” will be released on DVD. The 2016 Royal Opera House production by Katie Mitchell, which was met with mixed reception, is scheduled for release in October according to Amazon. The opera also stars Charles Castronovo as Edgardo, Ludovic Tezier as Enrico and Kwangchul Youn as Raimondo. Daniel Oren conducts this production. When the production first opened critics noted, {…}