Duruflé: Requiem, Op. 9: Pie Jesu

Compelling for her intensity and integrity as much as for her unmistakeable voice, Dame Janet Baker struck a distinctive path as a performer, primarily on the concert and recital stage. Among her most celebrated recordings are her interpretations of Elgar with Sir John Barbirolli, here complemented by songs and oratorio arias by composers such as Bach, Handel, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, Fauré, Vaughan Williams and Britten.

One of this country’s finest and most popular singers, Dame Janet Baker has a special place in the hearts of music-lovers throughout the land. Since making her Covent Garden and New York debuts in 1966 she has become synonymous with a wide range of much-loved baroque and romantic repertoire. Janet Baker was made a Dame 25 years ago. Here, for the first time, EMI have gathered together some of her most memorable performances on one double CD.

Cecilia Bartoli is loved the world over for vocal fireworks and spectacular coloratura, but she is also adored for her spine-tingling pianissimi and her ability to shape endless, velvety phrases. For the first time, this product will focus on the irresistibly sensual side of Cecilia Bartoli's art. It has been conceived as a popular “mood” or lifestyle compilation — presenting quieter arias showcasing Cecilia's vocal beauty, sensuality and emotion. “Sospiri” is designed to present this most accessible aspect of Cecilia Bartoli's art to the broadest popular-classical market.

“Sospiri” will contain favourite arias by Mozart and Handel, bel canto jewels by Bellini and Rossini and treasures by Vivaldi as well as music which Cecilia Bartoli has “rediscovered” on her recent record-breaking solo albums.

For Cecilia’s existing fans, the Prestige Edition includes a previously unreleased aria and world premiere recording of Vinci’s Cervo in bosco, one of Farinelli’s calling-card arias.

Both formats include a new interpretation of Rosina's aria Una voce poco fa, from Il Barbiere di Siviglia - the dazzling aria of young love, the role in which Cecilia Bartoli first shot to international stardom. She infuses this new interpretation with all her knowledge of the baroque and classical tradition on which Rossini’s music was founded, her experience of period practice and critical reading of the manuscripts, together with a playfulness and variety of colors which she has acquired over the years. On this track recorded during the Maria sessions Cecilia Bartoli is accompanied by a fantastic period practice orchestra, Orchestra La Scintilla.

The Prestige Edition also includes several duets, two popular ones: Mozart’s Là ci darem la mano with Bryn Terfel and Mascagni’s Tutto tace (Cherry duet) with Luciano Pavarotti and features a very original one with Maxim Vengerov: Mendelssohn’s Ah, ritorna, an excerpt from the rarely performed concert aria Infelice!

This beautiful album will be available in two CD formats.

2CD Prestige Edition (NOT limited edition) in luxurious gift packaging; includes a special bonus CD showcasing earlier recordings of Cecilia Bartoli with best-loved sacred classics by Bach, Mozart, Fauré and more. This bonus Sacred Arias CD is a real rarity in the discography of Cecilia Bartoli, and it makes the 2CD Prestige Edition a MUST HAVE item for the gift season

A collection of everyone’s favourite sacred choral music, including Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine and Franck’s Panis angelicus.

In addition to these famous works is music by Bruckner, Stanford, Grieg, Byrd, Mendelssohn, Lotti, Rachmaninoff, Elgar and Brahms. This is music to soothe the soul!

5 CD + CD ROM of booklet notes and sung texts

CD 1: Lamentation

CD 2: Henry Purcell

CD 3: Evensong & Vespers at King's - Vespers for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Evenson for Advent

CD 4: Sacred Choral Favourites

CD 5: Works by Rutter, Bernstein & Poulenc