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

This week audiences get to hear world premiere pieces, two complete operas, and a debut album by one of the most interesting ensembles today.

Don Giovanni

Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” recorded in November 2023 at the Royal Opera of Versailles features Robert Gleadow and is conducted by Gaétan Jarry. Marshall Pynkoski directs the production which also stars Arianna Venditelli, Riccardo Novaro, Florie Valiquette, Enguerrand de Hys, Éléonore Pancrazi, Jean-Gabriel Saint-Martin, and Nicolas Certenais.

Saul

Händel’s work is released by Opus Arte from the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. The production stars Christopher Purves, Iestyn Davies, Lucy Crowe, Sophie Bevan, Paul Appleby, Benjamin Hulett, and John Graham-Hall. The Glyndebourne Chorus and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are conducted by Ivor Bolton and the production is directed by Barrie Kosky.

AD MANUS

The Fourth Wall Ensemble releases its debut album “AD MANUS.” Led by award-winning conductor and Fourth Wall Ensemble’s Artistic and Creative Director, Christopher Allen, the album features the world premiere of “Painful Joy” by five-time Emmy Award-winning “House of Cards” composer Jeff Beal. 

A Dream So Bright

True Concord Voices & Orchestra joins forces with conductor Eric Holtan and Jeffrey Biegel for an album that features two world premiere recordings of works by Jake Runestad.

Émigrés & Exiles in Hollywood

Ensemble for These Times releases its fifth album featuring soprano Nanette McGuinness, cellist Abigail Monroe, and pianist Margaret Halbig. The album showcases music by émigré composers who fled World War II for Los Angeles and became instrumental in founding today’s famous “Hollywood” sound.