Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world.

This week, audiences will get to hear a world premiere recording of a modern masterpiece, a recording by a male soprano, and some modern works. There are also some Bel Canto gems to discover.

Intelligence

Houston Grand Opera releases a recording of composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer’s “Intelligence.” The critically acclaimed, company-commissioned opera, which made its season-opening world premiere, features conductor Kwamé Ryan, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton as Elizabeth and soprano Janai Brugger as Mary Jane, with mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges as Lucinda, baritone Michael Mayes as Travis Briggs, soprano Caitlin Lynch as Callie Van Lew, bass-baritone Nicholas Newton as Henry, and tenor Joshua Blue as Wilson.

Of the opera, OperaWire said, “The show boasted a stellar cast of vocal powerhouses.”

Lumina

Decca releases Samuel Mariño’s recording with the Covent Garden Sinfonia and conductor Ben Palmer. Jonathan Ware also performs on piano. The album includes premiere recordings of arias sung by a male voice, including Mariño’s own arrangements of the traditional Last Rose of Summer and “Baïlèro” from Joseph Canteloube’s folk song collection Chants d’Auvergne Famous arias.

In a statement, the male soprano said, “I want to open the doors for the next generations of male sopranos and say, ‘listen, I did it, and so can you.’”

All is Miracle 

The new album combines re-imaginings of iconic hymns, newly crafted genre-bending works, four world premieres, a mix of ancient and newly crafted texts, and unique instrumentation and textures — all working together to create an immersive, spiritual experience for listeners.

The album is a collaboration between the award-winning vocal ensemble Transept and acclaimed composer Kyle Pederson.

Miró Quartet Releases New Album, Ginastera String Quartets

The Miró Quartet releases its newest album, Ginastera String Quartets, on PENTATONE.

Celebrating 30 years as an ensemble in 2025, the Texas-based quartet records the Argentinian composer’s complete String Quartets, joined on his String Quartet No. 3, Op. 40, by soprano Kiera Duffy.

La Boheme

A brand new limited edition deluxe presentation of one of Decca’s most acclaimed opera recordings featuring the most accomplished cast of the era, led by Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti, and conducted by Herbert von Karajan, will be released.

Anthony Braxton: Trillium X

“Trillium X” is the sixth opera by multi-instrumentalist and jazz pioneer Anthony Braxton, being released on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The 8-CD box set includes a live recording of the world premiere in Prague and a studio recording made at the Darmstadt Summer Course.

The opera features Hildegard Kleeb, Eva Esterková, Aleš Janiga, Elmaz Mrkvičková, František Sliž, Jana Vondrů, Martin Kotulan, Michael Robotka, Anežka Matoušková, Andrea Pietrová, Vojtěch Šembera, Barbora Jirásková, and Štěpán Janoušek. The PMP Orchestra is conducted by Ronald Dahinden.

Sivan Eldar and Cordelia Lynn: Like Flesh

Helena Rasker, William Dazely, Juliette Allen, Adèle Carlier, Hélène Fauchère, Guilhem Terrail, Sean Clayton, René Ramos Premier, and Florent Baffi star in the new opera by Israeli composer Sivan Eldar and librettist Cordelia Lynn. The story, adapted from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” concerns a Woman suffering in an unhappy marriage who yearns for a world beyond the boundaries of flesh and an existence outside of the conventions of human society. Le Balcon is conducted by Maxime Pascal.

Marc’Antonio Ziani: Damira placate

Marc’Antonio Ziani’s second opera gets a recording starring Raffaella Milanesi, Giacomo Nanni, Shaked Bàr, Francesca Ascioti, Silvia Frigato, Furio Zanasi, Roberto Manuel Zangari, and Gabriella Martellacci. The Enea Barock Orchestra is conducted by Salvatore Carchiolo. Dynamic releases the album.

Gaetano Donizetti: Il diluvio universale

Naxos releases the recording from the 2023 Donizetti festival. Riccardo Frizza conducts the rarely performed 1830 version, which features Giuliana Gianfaldoni, Maria Elena Pepi, Enea Scala, and Nahuel Di Pierro.

Gilbert & Sullivan: Utopia, Limited, or The Flowers of Progress

Gilbert & Sullivan’s penultimate opera, “Utopia, Limited,” is being released by Opus Arte with a cast that includes Neal Davies, Ellie Laugharne, William Morgan, Yvonne Howard, and Richard Suart. The Chorus of Utopia, Limited and the Orchestra of the Scottish Opera are conducted by Derek Clark.

Gioacchino Rossini: Tancredi

C Major releases Rossini’s work from the 2024 Bregenz Festival. Featuring a production by Jan Philipp Gloger, the cast includes Anna Goryachova, Mélissa Petit, Antonino Siragusa, and Andreas Wolf. The Prague Philharmonic Choir and Wiener Symphoniker are conducted by Yi-Chen Lin.

Handel: Chandos Anthems (Anthems for Cannons)

Alpha Records releases Arcangelo and Jonathan Cohen’s which features four anthems by eight singers and eleven instrumentalists.

Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna; Jake Runestad: Earth Symphony

The Bavarian Radio Chorus and Munich Radio Orchestra, conducted by Joseph R. Olefirowicz, release an album dedicated to the music of Morten Lauridsen and Jake Runestad.