Amici Forever - In Concert
[ Sony & BMG DVD / DVD - released 1/Jan/2005 ] Amici forever perform an unusual musical blend of contemporary pop and traditional opera, bringing incomparable harmonizing talent to some of the greatest opera classics and contemporary classical/pop crossover creations. Accompanied by a 32-Piece... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Aleksandra Kurzak - Desire Aleksandra Kurzak (soprano) [ Sony Classical / CD - released 29/May/2020 ] The incredible soprano Aleksandra Kurzak presents 'Desire', her first solo album on Sony Classical! With this new release, Kurzak ventures into heavier territory, as she reveals both the new roles she is already singing and those she is working on. |
Andre Rieu
Happy Together [ Universal / 2 CD/DVD - released 26/Nov/2021 ] A joyful, new album by the King of Waltz, superstar André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra!, featuring all brand new recordings. "Happy Together" is a wonderful and emotional "ode to joy", celebrating the return to life, happiness and love... |
TRADITIONAL
A Family Christmas Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli [ Classics & Jazz UK / CD - released 21/Oct/2022 ] This holiday season, internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli is teaming up with his 24-year-old son Matteo Bocelli and 10-year-old daughter Virginia Bocelli for their first ever album together, A Family Christmas. |
HANDEL / GLUCK / VIVALDI / DOWLAND / PORPORA / PERGOLESI / TRADITIONAL
The Best of Andreas Scholl (Incls 'Ombra mai fu' & 'Blow The Wind Southerly') Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor) with various accompaniments [ Decca / CD - released 20/Sep/2006 ] "Scholl's voice rushed through the bloodstream" The Times |
GRAUN / HANDEL / PERTI / PORPORA / ORLANDINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Agrippina Opera Arias Ann Hallenberg (mezzo) / Il Pomo d'Oro, Riccardo Minasi [ Deutsche Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 1/Mar/2016 ] "there's an equally dazzling vengeance aria by Orlandini, in which Riccardo Minasi's orchestra, Il Pomo d'Oro, really lets fly. Hallenberg is as convincing in these as she is in the more reflective numbers...very classily done" (The Guardian) |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Anna Netrebko sings Verdi Anna Netrebko (soprano) / Orchestra Teatro Regio Torino, Gianandrea Noseda [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 16/Aug/2013 ] "She provides singing of sufficient amplitude and power to encompass the needs of Elisabeth de Valois...[and] is at her most expressive and skilled as Leonora, her tone firm and fleshy, her lines nicely shaped and her genuine trill coming in useful." |
BERLIOZ / BELLINI / DONIZETTI / DVORAK / GOUNOD / MOZART / PUCCINI
Anna Netrebko - Opera Arias Anna Netrebko (soprano) / Wiener Philharmoniker/ Gianandrea Noseda [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 1/Oct/2003 ] "A rising star shows off her fine voice: the personal touch is still to come." (Gramophone) |
ANTON BRUCKNER
Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 4-9 (The Mature Symphonies) (6-DVD Box Set) Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim [ Unitel Classics DVD / 6 DVD - released 8/Aug/2011 ] "This unforgettable Bruckner cycle sets new standards, and guarantees the Staatskapelle Berlin and their principal conductor "a place in the Bruckner pantheon." Der Tagesspiegel |
SCHUBERT / BRAHMS / REGER / WARLOCK / STRAUSS / WOLF
Benjamin Appl: Heimat Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano) [ Sony Classical / CD - released 20/Mar/2017 ] "The voice has a burnished, oaky beauty as well as considerable sweetness (well captured in Sony's natural engineering), while the interpretations are suffused with a gentle intelligence." Gramophone |
PURCELL / GIBBONS / LOCKE / HART / DRAGHI / etc
A Fancy: Fantasy on English Airs & Tunes Bertrand Cuiller (conductor, organ) & Rachel Redmond (soprano) / Le Caravansérail [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 10/Oct/2017 ] In their first recording for harmonia mundi, Bertrand Cuiller and the musicians of Le Caravansérail immerse us in the dreamlike world of the London theatre of the 17th century. Incidental music, airs, dances and inventive melodies combining the... |
RICHARD WAGNER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Wagner: Arias from Der Fliegende Hollander / Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / etc Bryn Terfel (baritone) / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 6/Apr/2002 ] "This disc is only of extracts, but already it is clear that Terfel is going to be an outstanding Wagnerian bass-baritone of his generation, His tone colour is rich and full in the nest tradition, his declamation vivid and lively." Five Stars BBC |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Handel: Opera and Oratorio Arias (Judas Maccabaeus, Dettingen Te Deum, Serse +) Bryn Terfel (baritone) / Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 19/Jun/2000 ] "The singing here incorporates a good deal of embellishment, some of it of Sir Charles Mackerras's devising. He is an excellent conductor for Terfel, sharing with him an appreciation of the zest in Handel." Gramophone |
ARAIA / CALDARA / GRAUN / PORPORA / etc.
Sacrificium - The Art of the Castrati Cecilia Bartoli (soprano) / Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini [ Decca Music Group DVD / DVD - released 15/Mar/2010 ] Cecilia Bartoli sings virtuoso arias from her Sacrificium album, on location in and around the spectacular baroque palace of Caserta in Southern Italy. |
GIOACHINO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rossini: Heroines Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo) / Orchestra e coro del Teatro della Fenice, Ion Marin [ Decca / CD - released 2/Feb/1992 ] "This sparkling disc brings together a collection of arias Rossini composed for one of the great prima donnas of the 19th century, his wife, Isabella Colbran. For Rossini and Bartoli fans, this disc is a must" Gramophone |
BEETHOVEN / MOZART / HAYDN
Cecilia Bartoli - Unreleased Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo-soprano), Kammerorchester Basel, Muhai Tang [ Decca / CD - released 17/Dec/2021 ] "..much of her more delicate singing combines beauty of tone with expressiveness...the orchestral accompaniments are beautifully managed under Muhai Tang." BBC Music |
FRANZ SCHREKER
Schreker: Der ferne Klang... Orchestral Works & Songs (2 CDs) Chen Reiss (soprano), Matthias Goerne (baritone) / Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Christop Eschenbach [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 7/Jul/2023 ] "The playing of the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra under Christoph Eschenbach is both meticulously prepared and wonderfully idiomatic." Gramophone Editor's Choice June 2023 |
BARBARA STROZZI / ISABELLA LEONARDA / FRANCESCA CACCINI / ANTONIA BEMBO
Christina Pluhar - Wonder Women Christina Pluhar / L'arpeggiata [ Erato Classics / CD - released 3/May/2024 ] Christina Pluhar leads her ensemble L'Arpeggiata in the multi-faceted Wonder Women. The culture-crossing album pays special homage to Italian female composers of the 17th century (notably Barbara Strozzi und Francesca Caccini), but also to women of... |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Complete Schubert Edition: A Goethe Schubertiad Christine Shafer (soprano) John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Simon Keenlyside (baritone) Michael George (bass) / The London Chorale / Stephen Layton (dir) [ Hyperion Schubert Edition Vol 24 / CD - released 2/Feb/2002 ] 'The whole record is priceless … renewed praise … an engrossing and invaluable addition to this series' (Gramophone) |
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Eight Piano Sonatas [Incls 'Waldstein' & 'Pastorale'] Daniel Barenboim (piano) [ EMI Classics DVD / DVD - released 1/Jul/2006 ] Live From Berlin 177 minutes |
FRANZ LISZT
The Liszt Recital (recorded in Milan in May 2007) Daniel Barenboim (piano) [ Euroarts DVD / DVD - released 30/Nov/2007 ] Recorded live at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 28 May 2007. |
WIDMANN / LISZT / SCHUBERT / WAGNER
Martha Argerich & Daniel Barenboim: Live from the BBC Proms 2016 BLU-RAY Daniel Barenboim (piano/conductor), Martha Argerich (piano) / West-Eastern Divan Orchestra [ EuroArts Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 28/Mar/2018 ] The Proms don't come more stellar than this! Daniel Barenboim and his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra would have comfortably filled the hall on their own, while Martha Argerich could have filled it three times over" - The Independent |
GIACOMO MEYERBEER
Meyerbeer: Grand Opera (Deluxe Packaging) Diana Damrau (soprano) / Orchestre et Choeur de l'Opéra National de Lyon, Emmanuel Villaume [ Erato Warner Classics / CD - released 6/May/2017 ] "The surprise of this disc is how much more than "grand opera" Meyerbeer actually has to offer...[Damrau] is adept at portraying a variety of characters and the Orchestre de l'Opéra national de Lyon under Emmanuel Villaume offers stylish support." |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Strauss, (R.): Vier Letzte Lieder, Op. 150 [Four Last Songs] / Lieder Diana Damrau (soprano) / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mariss Jansons, with Helmut Deutsch (piano) [ Erato Classics / CD - released 31/Jan/2020 ] "For me, Strauss is one of the greatest composers," Diana Damrau has said. "The way he handles the soprano voice is a joy. And to be able to sing his music with my voice feels like coming home." |
ARLEN / BERNSTEIN / GERSHWIN / LOEWE / SONDHEIM
New Year's Eve Concert 2019 - An Evening with Broadway Melodies BLU-RAY Diana Damrau (soprano) / Berliner Philharmoniker [Berlin Philharmonic], Kirill Petrenko [ EuroArts Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 19/Jun/2020 ] "The Berliner Philharmoniker and Diana Damrau bring American sass and swing to the Silvesterkonzert" - Financial Times |
RICHARD STRAUSS / ALBAN BERG / MAURICE RAVEL / IGOR STRAVINSKY
Easter Festival Baden-Baden (recorded in 2018) BLU-RAY Elina Garanca (mezzo), Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle [ EuroArts Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 30/Nov/2018 ] At this concert performance from the Easter Festival in Baden-Baden, the Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle and the Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča performed music from the early 20th century. |
BIZET / FALLA / BERNSTEIN / RAVEL / LEHAR / etc
Elina Garanca: Habanera Elina Garanca (mezzo) with Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI, Coro Filarmonico del Regio di Torino, Karel Mark Chichon [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 30/Aug/2010 ] "Garanča's voice has been described as "creamy", "silken" and "lustrous" but it also has a surprisingly rounded maturity. What sets her apart, however, is the unteachable ability to send shivers down the spine." Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine,... |
ROBERT SCHUMANN / JOHANNES BRAHMS
Schumann & Brahms: Lieder Elīna Garanča (mezzo-soprano), Malcolm Martineau (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 6/Nov/2020 ] "The singing is undoubtedly impressive, the manner redolent of an age where opera and song were less clearly delineated." Gramophone |
W. A. MOZART
Elsa Dreisig - Mozart X 3 Elsa Dreisig (soprano), Basel Chamber Orchestra, Louis Langrée [ Erato / CD - released 28/Jan/2022 ] Elsa Dreisig credits Mozart with being the composer who first inspired her to become a professional singer. Now the French-Danish soprano pays him tribute with an album devoted entirely to arias from his operas. |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Dualità Emőke Baráth (soprano) / Ensemble Artaserse, Philippe Jaroussky [ Warner Classics / CD - released 18/Feb/2022 ] "She provides a sonic feast: rich bottom-register timbre, brilliant yet voluptuous top notes and a pure core that energises even her longest lines." BBC Music Opera Choice April 2022 |
BARBARA STROZZI / FRANCESCO CAVALLI / ANTONIO CESTI / BIAGIO MARINI / TARQUINIO MERULA
Emöke Baráth - Voglio cantar Emöke Baráth (soprano), Il Pomo d'Oro, Francesco Corti [ Erato Classics / CD - released 18/Jan/2019 ] "Not only is the voice intrinsically lovely, but Baráth brings a range of colour and nuance that show a grasp of both textual (so important in this repertoire) and musical syntax." Opera |
PUCCINI / BOITO / MASCAGNI / MASSENET / LEONCAVALLO / GIORDANO / VERDI
Ermonela Jaho: Anima Rara Ermonela Jaho (soprano), Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, Andrea Battistoni [ Opera Rara / CD - released 25/Sep/2020 ] GRAMOPHONE Award Nomination 2021 - Voice & Ensemble International Classical Music Awards 2021 Winner - Vocal Music |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39 / Lieder und Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister (with Mahler - Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen) Florian Boesch (baritone) Malcolm Martineau (piano) [ Linn / CD - released 20/Jan/2018 ] "Boesch's flexible and rich-grained baritone blends with the colourful support of Malcolm Martineau at the piano to offer splendidly characterised accounts of the Schumann…It's in the Mahler, though, that Boesch and Martineau reach new heights." BBC |
GIACOMO PUCCINI / GERORGES BIZET
Freddie De Tommaso: Il Tenore Freddie De Tommaso (tenor) / Philharmonia Orchestra, Paolo Arrivabeni, with Lise Davidsen (soprano), etc [ Decca Classics / CD - released 24/Jun/2022 ] "He starts with Tosca and proves a natural Puccinian, producing a steady stream of spun tone in 'Recondita armonia'…Better yet is Cavaradossi's 'E lucevan le stelle', as De Tommaso reveals himself as a master storyteller...it allows you to hear this |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6 Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz [ EuroArts DVD / DVD - released 1/Aug/2006 ] "For Bach´s Brandenburg Concertos we got to Cöthen Palace, and find the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra in a lovely room, standing round in a semi-circle..the sense of pleasure the players radiate is strong." BBC Music Magazine |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Complete sonatas & variations for cello & piano Gautier Capucon (cello) Frank Braley (piano) [ Erato / Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 20/Mar/2019 ] "..the partnership is one of Classical balance, and the result is by turns poised, polished, intimate and exuberant…undeniably a class act" Gramophone |
ERNEST CHAUSSON / EINOJUHANI RAUTAVAARA / SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Hilary Hahn - Paris Hilary Hahn (violin) / Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Mikko Franck [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 12/Mar/2021 ] "I doubt whether [the Prokofiev] has ever been played 'better' than it is here. While others find additional pockets of charm and tenderness, few demonstrate Hahn's grip on the argument." GRAMOPHONE Award Nomination 2021 - Concerto |
ANDRE MATHIEU
André Mathieu: Concerto de Québec & Works for 2 Pianos Hélène Mercier, Alain Lefèvre (pianos) [ Warner Classics / CD - released 14/Feb/2020 ] Canadian pianist Alain Lefèvre has long championed the music of pianist-composer André Mathieu (1929-1968). As a child prodigy, Mathieu caused a sensation as 'the Canadian Mozart' in New York and Paris (where he studied with Yves Nat and Arthur... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral' BLU-RAY Isabelle Faust (violin) / Berliner Philharmoniker, Bernard Haitink [ EuroArts Music Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 22/Sep/2016 ] "Faust makes light of the technical difficulties of Beethoven's sometimes awkwardly-written Violin Concerto." BBC Music Five Stars |
GERSHWIN / BARBER / BEACH / COLERIGDE-TAYLOR / COPLAND
Isata Kanneh-Mason - Summertime Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano) [ Decca / CD - released 6/Sep/2021 ] "'Summertime' indeed, from a profound and greatly gifted artist who radiates warmth, joy and much-needed musical sunshine." Gramophone Editor's Choice August 2021 |