If today’s world stage seems in need of a reassuring message about the redemptive power of tolerance, then here it is. Handel’s dramatic oratorio Theodora has endured as one of his most compassionate masterpieces and in this acclaimed Viennese production, award-winning stage director Stefan Herheim contrasts Theodora’s self-sacrifice with the lack of spiritual direction in our own times. One of Europe’s leading opera directors, Herheim has been named Director of the Year three times by Opernwelt magazine. An impressive cast of singers includes Jacquelyn Wagner in the title role and the young countertenor Christopher Lowrey as Didymus, ‘who was stunningly superb and gave a masterclass in how to make a formal musical language have tremendous emotional and dramatic power.’ (operareviews.org) Conductor Bejun Mehta, himself an internationally renowned countertenor and Handel specialist, directs the La Folia Barockorchester and the Arnold Schoenberg Chor.

Also available on Blu-ray Video (NBD0184V)

This sixth volume in our complete edition of Brahms’ songs sees the return of baritone Konstantin Ingenpaß and mezzo-soprano Esther Valentin-Fieguth. They featured on the second and third albums in the series and were noted for ‘[giving] us all the beauty of sound one could hope for… the results are winning.’ (Fanfare, Vol. 2) and for the way in which ‘[t]heir beautiful shaping of the line with scrupulous attention to key words and appropriate vocal colouring makes each song come alive.’ (American Record Guide, Vol. 3) Konstantin won First Prize at the 2020 International Lied Competition at the Hugo Wolf Academy Stuttgart, while Esther has similarly been awarded numerous prizes at international competitions. The distinguished accompanist throughout the series is pianist Ulrich Eisenlohr, who has conducted masterclasses in Lied and chamber music all over the world. He provides the illuminating booklet notes for this recording, as he has done for all the other releases in the edition.

Heinrich Marschner is acknowledged as Germany’s leading composer of Romantic opera between Weber and Wagner, a distinction that has tended to draw attention away from his accomplished chamber works. The piano trio held a special appeal for Marschner; he composed seven works in the genre, all of which will feature in this series of recordings by the Gould Piano Trio. This first volume comprises the First and Seventh Trios, which were composed some thirty years apart and were much admired by Robert and Clara Schumann. The Gould Trio has remained at the forefront of the international chamber music scene for a quarter of a century and is well represented in the Naxos catalogue. Their album of works by John Ireland (8.570507), described as ‘exemplary’ (Fanfare) and ‘exquisitely refined’ (Gramophone), gives everyone a taste of what’s in store.

Respighi’s Maria Egiziaca, described by the composer as a ‘mystery in three episodes’, started out as a concert triptych that was first performed in New York in 1931. Its intensely dramatic and at times symphonic qualities give it a character that lies somewhere between an oratorio and an opera. Based on the life of Saint Mary of Egypt, the plot revolves around faith as seen through its various characters, with Maria’s journey from prostitution to sainthood conveyed as an eloquent and immediate musical fresco. This new Teatro La Fenice di Venezia production represents the world premiere audiovisual recording of what is a profoundly moving and deeply sensuous stage work. The title role is sung by soprano Francesca Dotto who has appeared throughout Europe and in Asia and is noted not only for her vocal accomplishments but also for her innate qualities as an actress.

Also available on Blu-ray Video (DYN-58050)

The original Elite Recordings for Vox by producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz have always been considered to be amongst the finest sounding orchestral recordings. It's no surprise, then, that the regular additions to Vox’s newly remastered edition of these legendary sessions continue to be eagerly sought out both by audiophile collectors and the many fans of such vibrant, classic performances. This latest in the series was first released in 1981 and features Prokofiev’s spectacular music for Ivan the Terrible, which is arguably one of his finest film scores. The classic recording, performed by the St Louis Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Leonard Slatkin, has long been an audiophile favourite for its faithful reproduction of huge orchestral and choral forces, so I predict significant interest in the release. I might add that the booklet notes have also been reproduced from the original LP album.