This week audiences will get to discover rare works and rare composers. There will also be archive recordings released which audiences will get to discover.

Elena 

Naxos continues its exploration of the works of Johann Simon Mayr with the world-premiere recording of “Elena.” Franz Hauk, the guiding spirit behind Naxos’s Mayr series, conducts his Simon Mayr Choir and the period-specializing Concerto de Bassus. The recording stars soprano Julia Sophie Wagner in the title role, tenor Markus Schäfer as Edmondo, and basses Daniel Ochoa and Niklas Mallmann as Costantino and Carlo.

Alexander von Zemlinsky Works 

Alexander von Zemlinsky turns 150 this coming October, and Capriccio is celebrating with a trio of releases. The company will release his fairy-tale opera “Es war einmal,” “Gide-based Der König Kandaules,” and a 6-CD retrospective of his output—symphonic, chamber, song, and opera.

“Es war einmal” is a newly remastered version of the pioneering Danish Radio performance of 1987 under Hans Graf. The soloists include Eva Johansson, Kurt Westi, Per Arne Wahlgren, and Aage Haugland. Meanwhile, “Der König Kandaules” is led by Gerd Albrecht with cast members James O’Neal, Monte Pederson, Nina Warren, and Mariusz Kwiecien.

Mozart Rare Choral Works

The new double CD of rarely recorded masterpieces is presented by Gloriæ Dei Cantores. The works include Davide Penitente K. 469 and the Litaniae de venerabili altaris Sacramento K. 243 as well as further litany, several motets, and two of the famous church sonatas for small orchestra and organ. The recording was based on the editions of the Neue Mozart Ausgabe, published by Barenreiter

Naughty Marietta

From the musical archives of the Smithsonian Institution comes a happy memento of a 1980 concert performance in Washington DC of Victor Herbert’s gloriously tuneful operetta. Harbinger Records releases the work which stars Judith Blazer.