Humperdinck: Brüderchen, komm tanz mit mir (Dance Duet from Hänsel und Gretel)

Multi-award winning opera singer Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, praised for the ‘pristine beauty of her lyric soprano’ (The Guardian), was revered in opera houses worldwide and is perhaps most famous for her Mozart roles. However, she was also at home on the concert stage and this collection combines her acclaimed portrayals of Donna Elvira, Countess Almaviva and Richard Strauss’s Marschallin, among others, with her affecting interpretations of lieder and song-cycles.

Elisabeth Grümmer became in 1946 a regular member of the Städtische Oper Berlin (now the Deutsche Oper), which was her primary professional association throughout her career, remaining with that major company through 1972. In April 1967 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera New York as Elsa in Lohengrin. Elisabeth Grümmer’s exquisite voice and admirable dramatic gifts made her an exemplary interpreter of the music of Mozart and Richard Strauss. She restricted herself to a rather small repertoire she made very much her own: Pamina, Donna Anna, Ilia, the Countess Almaviva, Agathe, Hänsel, Oktavian, the Marschallin, Countess Madeleine, Eva, Elsa, Elisabeth, Gutrune, Freia and Desdemona.

An old fashioned programme of Christmas songs and carols that children will love to listen to. From the story of 'Cock Robin' to well-known Christmas carols, with a fascinating mix of sounds - bells, music boxes, accordions and pianos.

'Over hill over dale, through bush, through briar…' An atmospheric album of favourite poetry and music on the theme of fairies, including famous music by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and Purcell, and poetry from Shakespeare and Herrick, read by Margaret Howard. Children will love it, but so will the grown-ups