Edita Gruberova, Angela Gheorghiu & Missy Mazzoli Lead CD/DVD Releases
By Francisco SalazarThis week, three world premiere recordings are being released while two classic operas are being made accessible on the market. Here is a look at the three albums you can stream this week and two DVDs that not to be missed.
Voire Dire
RedHouse Music will release the North American release of the original-cast album of composer Matthew Peterson and librettist Jason Zencka’s courtroom opera “Voir Dire.” The new release features the original cast of singers from the critically-acclaimed 2017 world premiere production at Fort Worth Opera including Anna Laurenzo, Trevor Martin, Nate Mattingly, Christina Pecce, and Andrew Surrena. The recording also includes an ensemble of nine Minnesota musicians conducted by Viswa Subbaraman. The recording was made for two days in June 2018 at Minnesota Public Radio’s Weyerhauser Studio in St Paul, MN.
Proving Up
Pentatone releases the debut recording of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “Proving Up.” The release will feature the original cast recording from Opera Omaha. Those cast members include Michael Slatter, John Moore, Talise Trevigne, Abigail Nims, Cree Carrico, and Andrew Harris. “Proving Up” marks the third collaboration between Mazzoli and Vavrek. The duo is already working on its next effort, entitled “The Listeners.”
The international release for the work is set for August 21, 2020.
Vangelis – Juno to Jupiter
Universal releases Vangelis’ latest recording inspired by the ground-breaking mission of NASA’s Juno space probe and its ongoing exploration of Jupiter. “Juno to Jupiter” is a special and unique in its own way multi-dimensional classical musical journey. The recording by Vangelis features Angela Gheorghiu. The album is set for digital release this week and a physical release is set for November 6 (CORRECTION: THE DIGITAL RELEASE FOR VANGELIS’ NEW RECORDING WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SEPT. 25. WE ARE VERY SORRY IF THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED ANY CONFUSION)
Rusalka
Opus Arte releases Glyndebourne Festival’s production of “Rusalka.” The production, which comes from 2019, is directed by Melly Still featuring Sally Matthews, Evan LeRoy Johnson, Patricia Bardon, Alexander Roslavets, and Zoya Tsererina. Robin Ticciati conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Don Pasquale
Naxos releases the classic recording of Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” from the 1977 Wiener Staatsoper tour. The cast, which was drawn from resident ensemble members, with the exception of Peruvian tenor Luigi Alva, showcased the talents of Oskar Czerwenka, Hans Helm, and a young Edita Gruberova. The performance captured in color by Austrian Radio and Television (ORF) at the Volkshaus in Mürzzuschlag, is conducted by Argentine conductor Héctor Urbón. This is the first time this classic performance is released.