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

This week audiences will get a chance to listen to rarely performed works from some of the great operatic composers in the world. There are also many world premiere recordings as well.

Lucie di Lammermoor 

Dynamic releases Donizetti’s French version of “Lucie de Lammermoor” from the 2023 Donizetti Festival. Recorded at the Teatro Sociale on December 1, 2023, the cast includes Vito Priante, Patrick Kabongo, Julien Henric, David Astorga, Roberto Lorenzi, and Caterina Sala. Pierre Dumoussaud conducts the new production by Jacopo Spirei.

Donizetti Song Project

Opera Rara releases the first two volumes in its Donizetti Song Project recording cycle. Vol. 1 features 28 tenor songs performed by Lawrence Brownlee, and Vol. 2 features 26 baritone songs sung by Nicola Alaimo.

Both artists are accompanied by Opera Rara’s Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi who spearheaded the multi-year initiative upon hearing of the company’s Repertoire Consultant, Roger Parker’s lockdown project four years ago.

Mendelssohn: Elijah

LSO Live marks the beginning of its 25th anniversary year with the release of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” Sir Antonio Pappano conducts a recording that features Gerald Finley, Sarah Connolly, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, and Allan Clayton.

The Light of Paradise

Berlin Classics releases the new album by the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Christian Erny. The album features the piece by Paul Mealor which was commissioned by the Zurich Chamber Singers, and composed based on the writings of medieval mystic Margery Kempe.

Leoš Janáček: The Excursions of Mr. Brouček

Supraphon releases a recording of Janáček’s rarely performed opera. The cast includes Jaroslav Březina, Aleš Briscein, František Zahradníček, Alžběta Poláčková, Jiří Sulženko, Roman Janál, Helena Tattermuschová, Jiří Brückler, Martin Šrejma, Josef Moravec, Doubravka Součková, and Stanislava Jirků. Jaroslav Kyzlink conducts.

Walter Braunfels: Jeanne d’Arc – Scenes from the Life of Saint Joan

Capriccio will release Braunfel’s opera in three parts and one prelude. This new recording stars Juliane Banse, Martin Gantner, Pavol Breslik, Johan Reuter, Ruben Drole, Thomas E. Bauer, Michael Laurenz, and Tobias Kehrer Manfred Honeck conducts the Salzburger Bachchor, Salzburger Festspiele und Theater Kinderchor, and ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Joachim Raff: Die Eifersüchtigen

Raff’s opera in three acts will be released by Naxos. The recording stars Serafina Giannoni, Mirjam Fässler, Raìsa Ierone, Benjamin Popson, Matthias Bein, Balduin Schneeberger, and Martin Roth. The Orchestra of Europe is conducted by Joonas Pitkänen. This album marks the opera’s world premiere recording.

Coups de Roulis

André Messager, Albert Willemetz, and Maurice Larrouy’s operetta will be released by LBM. The recording features Jean-Baptiste Dumora, Philippe Brocard, Christophe Gay, Irina de Baghy, and Clarisse Dalles. The Frivolités Parisiennes Orchestra and Choir is conducted by Alexandra Cravero.