New music adds for April 2011

Handel: Cleopatra – Arias From Giulio Cesar

French soprano Natalie Dessay is one the stars of today’s operatic world, thrilling audiences as both a singer and an actress.
Now an admired interpreter of bel canto and lyric heroines such as Lucia di Lammermoor, Marie (La Fille du régiment), Amina (La sonnambula), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Manon, Juliette and Ophélie (Hamlet), Dessay originally made her reputation with showpiece coloratura roles

Strauss, R.: Lieder – Poesie

The dazzling German soprano Diana Damrau who has won international acclaim for both for the breathtaking agility of her voice releases a new collection of Strauss song. In this collection, recorded in the composer’s hometown, Diana Damrau is joined by the Munich Philharmonic and Christian Thielemann, the leading German conductor of his generation. The release features 16 live recordings of favorites such as `Ständchen’, `Wiegenlied’, `Allerseelen’, `Cäcilie’ and `Zueignung’ as well as six studio recordings.

Very Best of Placido Domingo

EMI Classics celebrates Plácido Domingo’s illustrious 50 years on stage with this exciting 2-CD set of his greatest hits. A worldrenowned, multifaceted artist, Domingo, now in his late sixties, is recognized as one of the finest and most influential singing actors in the history of opera. His repertoire encompasses 130 stage roles – a number unmatched by any other celebrated tenor in history.

Schumann: Dichterliebe, Liederkreis

A nearly unbroken string of critically acclaimed recordings and a burgeoning stage career have put tenor Mark Padmore at the top of critics lists around the world. His rich, elegant and powerful voice, enhanced by a rare musical intelligence, drives these deeply probing performances of two favorite song cycles by Robert Schumann. His partner here is up-and-coming fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout, whose equally sharp musical mind and staggering virtuosity provide the perfect accompaniment to these masterpieces of the Romantic era. Also included are five songs from Sängerfahrt by Franz Lachner based upon poetry by Heine.

Bejun Mehta ~ Ombra cara (Arias of George Frideric Handel)

If Handel s arias enjoy such success today, perhaps it is because they lie at the intersection between past and present, light and shadow. In his first recital for harmonia mundi, Bejun Mehta has performs selections from the repertoire of the famous castrato Senesino. From shadow ( Ombra cara ) to light ( Sento la gioia ), this album re-introduces Mehta s prodigious talents as a solo artist. Also included is a bonus DVD with interviews and video of the recording sessions.

Music for Words Perhaps

A CD of songs written by Denman Maroney to words by William Butler Yeats, Wallace Stevens and himself, sung by Theo Bleckmann, Shelley Hirsch, Sheila Schonbrun, and himself, accompanied by Herb Robertson (brass), Arthur Kell (bass), David Simons (drums), and himself (piano). They might be jazz, or they might be classical; suit yourself. The group Iota Jot Yod performs the Stevens and Maroney settings.