The first week of the year sees several high profile releases like Lise Davidsen’slatest album and three full recordings on both DVD and CD.

Here is a look at this week’s new releases.

Juliana

“Juliana,” a chamber opera composed by Joseph Phibbs, with a libretto by Laurie Slade, is due to be released by Resonus Classics on all major streaming platforms and CD. The role of Juliana is sung by soprano Zoe Drummond, with Kerstin played by mezzo- soprano Rebecca Afonwy-Jones and Juan by baritone Felix Kemp. Nova Music Opera Ensemble is conducted by George Vass.

Grieg

Decca Classics releases a new album by Norwegian artists Lise Davidsen and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. The new album features music by Edvard Grieg including his song cycle, which is at the center of the album.

In a statement, Davidsen said, “Everyone in Norway knows this music. I am very aware of the conventions of how it “should” be done and by whom. This project was about listening to the music on our own terms, trying to find our Grieg sound.”

Dido and Aeneas

Henry Purcell’s is released by Naxos in a revival from 2008 at Paris’s Opéra Comique. Directed by Deborah Warner and conducted by William Christie, leading his ensemble Les Arts Florissants, the production stars Swedish mezzo Malena Ernman as Dido, baritone Christopher Maltman as Aeneas, soprano Judith van Wanroij as Belinda, and mezzo Hilary Summers as the Sorceress. Actress Fiona Shaw also stars.

L’Enigma di Lea

Catalan composer Benet Casablanca’s “L’enigma di Lea” premiered at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu in February 2019. Naxos releases a production that stars American mezzo-soprano Allison Cook, baritone José Antonio López, and countertenor Xavier Sabata. Josep Pons leads the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu.