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

It’s a big week for releases with a leading tenor releasing a DVD, a major soprano making her debut album and several world premieres. There are also several rare pieces and a big verismo piece you have to hear.

O Listen! To the music of Uroš Krek and Else Marie Pade

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble and conductor Martina Batič perform works by Uroš Krek and Else Marie Pade in their debut album.

Dazzling Light: Music by Tallis, Whitacre, Rutter, Elgar, Howells & More

Christopher Lowrey and Ensemble Altera perform music by John Rutter, Jonathan Dove, Matthew Martin, Toby Young, Charles Wood, Ko Matsushita, Sir William Harris, Eric Whitacre, Thomas Tallis, Michael Garrepy and David Hill, among others.

Alpha Classics releases.

Daron Aric Hagen: Everyone, Everywhere

Multi-award-winning composer Daron Hagen’s Everyone, Everywhere is a cantata composed to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The recording by Naxos features Gabrielle Barkidjija, Shavon Lloyd, Bryan Murray, Amir Farid, piano, Every Voice Generations Choir, and the Cecilia Chorus of New York with Orchestra. Mark Shapiro conducts the recording.

This Time Round

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City releases the limited-edition vinyl release of the documentary’s soundtrack. The soundtrack includes 15 world-renowned composers such as Gordon Getty, Michael Gordon, Yuka C. Honda, and David Lang, among others.

John Weldon: The Judgment of Paris

Julian Perkins revives the 1701 composition by John Weldon with the Cambridge Handel Opera Company and Academy of Ancient Music.

In a statement Julian Perkins said, “This recording is a labour of love, celebrating the ingenuity and dramatic flair of John Weldon’s setting of William Congreve’s libretto. We’ve aimed to capture the essence of the 1701 performances, bringing this remarkable music to life for contemporary audiences. This recording is a testament to the collaborative spirit and profound dedication of everyone involved.”

The recording stars Thomas Walker, Jonathan Brown, Helen Charlston, Kitty Whately, Aksel Rykkvin, Anna Dennis, and Anna Cavaliero.

AAM Records releases.

Mahler Symphony No. 3

The Czech Philharmonic and its Chief Conductor and Music Director Semyon Bychkov continue their acclaimed Mahler cycle with the composer’s Third Symphony, working together with mezzo-soprano Catriona Morison, the Prague Philharmonic Choir and Pueri Gaudentes.

PENTATONE releases.

Son regina e sono amante

PENTATONE releases soprano Rosa Feola’s debut album. She is joined by the Cappella Neapolitana and maestro Antonio Florio and pays tribute to Niccolò Piccinni, master of the 18th-century Neapolitan opera tradition. The album offers arias from his French and Italian operas, including some in Neapolitan vernacular.

Into the Still Hollow

Navona Records releases an album dedicated to the works of John Rommereim, who harbors an immense love for vocal music.

In Parasceve

Passacaille Records releases the world-premiere recording of José Joaquim dos Santos’ “Responsórios de Sexta-feira Santa” conducted by Maestro Enrico Onofri with the Real Câmara.

Raquel Alão, Rita Filipe, Rodrigo Carreto, Hugo Oliveira, and the Officium Ensemble are the voices that have joined Real Câmara in this musical rediscovery.

Francesco Cilea: Gloria

Dynamic releases Cilea’s rarely performed work starring Anastasia Bartoli, Elena Schirru, Carlo Ventre, Franco Vassallo, Alessandro Abis, Ramaz Chikviladze, and Alessandro Frabotta. The recording was made by the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari and was conducted by Francesco Cilluffo.

Be Still My Heart: Robert Gund and Wilhelm Grosz

Alpha Classics releases Christian Immler and Helmut Deutsch’s new album which features two little-known Viennese composers Robert Gund and Wilhelm Grosz. The recording also features world premiere recordings.

Reynaldo Hahn: Piano Quintet, Songs, Piano Quartet

Karim Sulayman joins the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective in Chandos’ latest release.

Founding members Tom Poster and Elena Urioste said, “Kaleidoscope has championed many unjustly neglected composers, but in the case of Reynaldo Hahn the neglect seems particularly puzzling to us. His music is immediately approachable, soaringly beautiful, and speaks directly to the heart; audiences, on the rare occasions that they get to hear it, seem to adore it. … A number of years ago, our dear friend Karim Sulayman joined Tom in several performances of a set of Hahn songs, and a shared love for the music led to a discussion about how beautifully some of the piano parts could work in chamber arrangements. Karim had first discovered Hahn through the touching recordings on which the composer simultaneously sings and plays his own songs; and we, in turn, have always been deeply touched by the direct channel which Karim seems to have to Hahn’s heartfelt expressive world. For all of us, it has been a profound joy to put these new song arrangements down on disc for the first time.”

Edward Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Ondine releases Elgar’s work with a cast that includes Christine Rice, John Findon, and Roderick Williams. The Helsinki Music Centre Choir,  Cambridge University Symphony Chorus, Dominante, Helsinki Chamber Choir, Alumni of the Choir of Clare College, and Cambridge; Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra also appear with Nicholas Collon conducting.

Haydn: The Creation

Sir Simon Rattle conducts Haydn’s beloved oratorio with Lucy Crowe, Benjamin Bruns, and Christian Gerhaher. The Chor & Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks are featured on this recording released by BR Klassik.

Mozart: Complete Masses, Vol. 4

Naxos continues its Masses releases with a new recording featuring the Mass in C major “Dominicus,” Missa brevis in G major, and Missa brevis in F major. Carolina Ullrich, Katharina Ruckgaber, Katharina Konradi, Elvira Bill, Sarah Romberger, Patrick Grahl, Paul Schweinester, Martin Mitterrutzner, Dominik Köninger, Jonas Müller, and Mikhail Timoschenko are the soloists. Christoph Poppen conducts the Cologne Cathedral Vocal Ensemble and Cologne Chamber Orchestra.

Charpentier: Missa Assumpta est Maria

David Tricou, Romain Champion, and Nicolas Brooymans lead Charpentier’s final mass “Assumpta est Maria.” The Choeur et Maîtrise Marguerite Louise are conducted by Gaétan Jarry.

Richard Strauss: Arabella

Naxos releases Strauss’ “Arabella” with a cast that includes Albert Pesendorfer, Doris Soffel, Sara Jakubiak, Elena Tsallagova, Russell Braun, and Robert Watson. The recording from the Deutsche Oper Berlin was conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles.

Jonas Kaufmann: The Sound of Movies

Sony Classical and C Major release Jonas Kaufmann’s concert which brings his passion for film music to life. Joined by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and Jochen Rieder, the superstar performs many of cinema’s classic songs and scores.