Mozart: Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio! K418

This is prize-winning Lenneke Ruitken’s recording debut. She has chosen arias that are all theatrical, but also very diverse. She is a new artist on PentaTone, but already has been invited by John Elliot Gardner for a series of concerts.

In her second recording as an exclusive Virgin Classics artist Diana Damrau interprets concert and operatic arias by Mozart in a programme which displays her virtuosity and impressive vocal range.

Indeed Diana Damrau’s new recital shows she can sing practically all of Mozart’s notably varied soprano roles – ranging from the bravura (Donna Anna, Konstanze, Donna Elvira…) via the more serious (Pamina) to the lighter soprano (generally soubrette roles such as Susanna, Blonde…).

From her first recording everyone noted her outstanding Queen of the Night – here she is Pamina (in New York’s Met last Fall, Diana Damrau alternated the two roles with brio). She is also Susanna and the Contessa (Le Nozze di Figaro), Konstanze and Blonde (Die Entführung), Donna Anna and Elvira (Don Giovanni), Servilia and Vitellia (La Clemenza di Tito), pairing major soprano roles within the operas, and concert arias.

As for her first recital, ‘Arie di bravura’, French conductor Jérémie Rhorer, who is rapidly gaining international recognition, directs his French period-instrument ensemble Le Cercle de l’Harmonie

Exceptional French soprano Patricia Petibon joins the DG roster with her debut album Amoureuses, featuring arias by Mozart, Haydn and Gluck

Petibon has established herself as one of the most interesting and versatile sopranos of our day and has been widely acclaimed for her outstanding acting abilities that make her merge completely with whatever role she sings and represents on stage

With Amoureuses Petibon circles around the ever-important topic of love and desire – in a series of character-portraits she explores how the very different female characters in the operas of Mozart, Haydn, and Gluck respond to the challenges of love

Ranging from the dramatic fury in Haydn’s Odio, furor, dispetto and Mozart’s Der Hölle Rache . . . to the sweetness in his Deh vieni, and from the desperate sadness of his L’ho perduta . . . me meschina! to the grandeur of Gluck’s Ah! Si la liberté, the album is the perfect showcase for Petibon’s exceptional skills of expression and characterization

For Amoureuses Petibon teamed up with the acclaimed period-instrument band Concerto Köln and conductor Daniel Harding, a collaboration that guarantees an effervescent, entrancing approach to the music of the Viennese masters – a captivating debut to watch for!

This remarkable collection highlights the career of the great Metropolitan Opera star, the American soprano Benita Valente, collecting performances from both concerts and the recording studio.

This retrospective program was made in consultation with Ms. Valente to create vocal art of the highest order!