Lehár: Gern hab' ich die Frau'n geküßt (from Paganini) (Girls were made to love and kiss)

Nicolai Gedda, the most recorded tenor in history, is an exceptionally versatile artist who has excelled in a wide variety of operatic roles as well as in the art song. With a magnificent lyric tenor voice and extraordinary range, Gedda makes the notorious top D at the end of ‘Mes amis, écoutez l’histoire’ sound positively effortless. This collection offers a wealth of repertoire that has helped to cement Gedda’s reputation as one of the greatest tenors of his generation.

Richard Tauber loved his audience and his audience loved him. He bridged the gap between serious and light music and his voice had an instantly recognisable timbre. He sang from the heart and could hold the audence in the palm of his hand.

Acclaimed Polish-born tenor Piotr Beczala pays tribute to the Austrian singer Richard Tauber (1891–1948), one of the most widely celebrated musical celebrities of his time. Recognized by many as one of the greatest tenors in the world, Piotr is regularly praised for his artistry, immaculate musicianship, keen interpretive intelligence, and flawless, elegant delivery. A perfectly cultivated and stylish singer, he is currently at the pinnacle of his career

A prominent exponent of popular song and operetta, Tauber’s career is closely associated with operetta’s golden age in pre-war Europe

In this recording Beczala shares his deeply honed affinity for this timeless, eternally popular music – a delightful recital of operetta favourites by Lehár, Kálmán, Robert Stolz, Johann Strauss II, among others – and continues the tradition set forth by legendary predecessors like Fritz Wunderlich and Nicolai Gedda

Features special guest appearances from Anna Netrebko (“Lippen schweigen”), The Berlin Comedian Harmonists, Avi Avital, Austrian soprano Daniela Fally and a unique “duet” with Richard Tauber himself, using special 21st century technology and a recorded master from 1934.

The Austrian tenor Jörg Schneider has enjoyed a career that has flourished in Europe and especially in Italy, where he has sung in almost every important opera house.

In this release for Capriccio, Jörg Schneider sings a selection of his favourite arias and scenes from world famous operettas, including Johann Strauss (Jr.): Die Fledermaus, Der Zigeunerbaron and Wiener Blut, Emmerich Kalman: Gräfin Mariza, Carl Millöcker: Der Bettelstudent, Eduard Künneke: Der Vetter aus Dingsda and Franz Lehar: Paganini.

Dermot Troy (1927-1961) is acknowledged as Ireland's finest lyric tenor since John McCormack. By the time of his sudden death in 1962 he had gone on an extraordinary journey from singing as a member of a musical group in Inchicore to performing as the principle lyric tenor of the Hamburg Opera House company, one of the most prestigious in the world. He only recorded three LPs, all of which are out of print.

DERMOT TROY REMEMBERED is the first digitally re-mastered CD featuring his legendary voice, including four previously unreleased songs from the archives. We hear him sing in Irish in Fleischmann's Lament for Owen Roe, in English in a selection of favourites from Thomas Moore to Ivor Novello, in Italian singing familiar Neapolitan songs and we hear him in German singing Lehar and his beloved Mozart.

Dermot Troy had shared a stage with some of the most famous sopranos of the twentieth century, including Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Elizabeth Schwartzkopf. All acknowledged his potential. DERMOT TROY REMEMBERED is a fitting tribute to a singer who whose career ended tragically early.

recorded in Alpha-Line Studio, Budapest, 16-31 January 1996