This week audiences around the world will get a chance to discover rarely performed works, contemporary works, and some of the great performers of their generation. Here is a look at the new releases of the week.

Vivaldi: Stabat Mater

In a dual release for Easter 2022, countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, with the instrumentalists of Capella Cracoviensis and conductor Jan Tomasz Adamus, performs Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater on both CD and DVD. The “short feature” video of the work has been conceived by award-winning director Sebastian Pańczyk. Through powerful and sometimes disturbing imagery it makes a new and thought-provoking interpretation of the Stabat Mater. While the Latin poem, dating from the 13th century, reflects on Mary’s suffering at the Cross, Orliński and Pańczyk explore the theme of empathy and the interdependence of man and nature.

Fernando Velázquez: Viento

Contemporary composer Fernando Velázquez presents Viento, together with the Basque National Orchestra, the choir Kup Taldea and international star cellist Johannes Moser. Pentatone releases the work which shows Velázquez’s skill in genres such as the symphonic poem, cantata, and cello concerto. The album includes the composer’s cello concerto, the Cantata de estío, and Viento del Oeste.

Women Composers

Franziska Heinzen and Benjamin Mead for 24 songs by as many female composers. Solo Musica releases the album by the Swiss soprano and the British-Polish Pianist.

Saul

Händel’s oratorio gets a release on Unitel Edition in Claus Guth’s inventive 2018 staging. The production from the  Theater an der Wien stars Florian Boesch in the title role, countertenor Jake Arditti as David, sopranos Anna Prohaska and Giulia Semenzato as Merab and Michal, tenor and Rupert Charlesworth. Arnold Schoenberg Chor, and Freiburg Barockorchester are led by Christopher Moulds.

The Fiery Angel 

The Theater an der Wien captured Prokofiev’s work in March 2021 in a production by Andrea Breth. The opera stars  soprano Ausrine Stundyte, baritone Bo Skovhus, mezzo-sopranos Natascha Petrinsky and Elena Zaremba and tenor Nikolai Schukoff. Constantin Trinks leads the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien.

Siberia 

Dynamic releases Umberto Giordano’s rarely performed work from the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The production is directed by Roberto Andò and stars Sonya Yoncheva, Giorgi Sturua, and George Petean. Gianandrea Noseda conducts.