Meryl Streep, Melody Moore, Magdalena Kožená & Tara Erraught Lead CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get a good helping of baroque favorites and rarities, star-studded albums, world premieres and some fantastic modern works by recognized composers. Rufus Wainwright’s Dream Requiem The new album showcases Wainwright’s “Dream Requiem,” an epic work for orchestra, chorus, soprano, {…}

CD Review: George Benjamin & Martin Crimp’s ‘Picture a day like this’

Every six years or so, we’re gifted with an operatic gem from composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp. Their fourth and latest collaboration, “Picture a day like this,” is a revelation. This live recording, released by Nimbus Records, features the composer conducting the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the work’s 2023 Aix-en-Provence Festival premiere. While Benajmin and Crimp’s colleagues on {…}

Thomas Hampson, Maria Teresa Leva, Juan Francisco Gatell & Slávka Zámečníková Lead Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano’s 2024-25 Season

The Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano has announced its 2024-25 season. Here are the vocal performances. Michele Gamba conducts Verdi’s Requiem with Maria Teresa Leva, Deniz Uzun, Giovanni Sala, and Adolfo Corrado. Performance Dates: Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2024 Huandel’s “Messiah” will star Anna Prohaska, Chiara Tirotta, Ilker Arcayürek, and Liviu Holender. Christoph Koncz conducts. Performance Dates: Dec. 13 & 15, 2024 {…}

Diana Damrau, Jonas Kaufmann, Sarah Connolly & Juan Diego Flórez Lead Palau de la Música Catalana’s 2024-25 Season

The Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Spain has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Palau 100  Sarah Connolly jons Anima Aeterna Brugge and Pablo Heras-Casado for Mahler’s “Rückert Lieder.” The program also includes music by Bruckner. Performance Date: Oct. 24, 2024 Philippe Herreweghe leads a program that includes pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout, Collegium {…}

Anna Prohaska, Karen Cargill & Frédéric Antoun Lead Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances which include Anna Prohaska as the 2024/25 TSO Spotlight Artist. Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts Mozart’s Requiem with Siobhan Stagg, Karen Cargill, Frédéric Antoun, and Dashon Burton. The concert also features Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. Performance Dates: Oct. 9-12, 2024 John Adams and Anna Prohaska perform works by {…}