Levy Sekgapane & Ildar Abdrazakov Lead New DVD/CD Releases – August 19
By Francisco SalazarThis week features three major releases. Among them will be solo album debuts and one very intriguing world premiere that should spark the interest of contemporary opera lovers.
P R I S I M
Composer and sound artist Ellen Reid’s opera “p r i s m” is set to be released by Decca Gold. The opera, with a libretto by Roxie Perkins, was commissioned and produced by Beth Morrison Projects in association with Trinity Church Wall Street and premiered in November 2018 to universal acclaim in sold-out runs on both the east and west coasts, as a part of New York’s Prototype Festival and the LA Opera’s Off Grandseries.
In a press release Reid stated, “I am over the moon to be working with the fantastic team at Decca Gold and Universal Music Group! As I continue to push my art further, I am energized by their expertise and breadth of audience and look forward to many great projects to come.”
Giovin Fiamma
Prima Classic releases its second album. This time Levy Sekgapane makes his solo album debut dedicated to Rossini. The new album, conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti, features arias from “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” “Semiramide,” “La Cenerentola,” “La Donna del lago,” “L’Italiana d’Algeri,” “Il Turco in Italia,” “Zelmira,” “Otello,” and “Elisabetta, Regina di Inghilterra.”
Verdi
Ildar Abdrazakov makes his solo album debut on Deutsche Grammophon. The bass dedicates the new record to Verdi with arias from “Attila,” “Oberto,” Simon Boccanegra” “Nabucco,” “Luisa Miller,” “Ernani,” “Don Carlo,” and “I Vespri Sicilianni.”
The album is conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and features a special appearance from Rolando Villazón.