Puccini: Tu che di gel sei cinta (from Turandot)

‘Melodies of Love and Death’ features the highly regarded Osiris Trio, a Dutch piano trio that since its formation over 20 years ago has been the recipient of many major awards. Their programme is an unusual but rewarding one, since it is devoted to special arrangements made by Bob Zimmerman of some of the best loved opera arias in the repertoire, from Bizet and Verdi to Puccini and Janacek.

The Osiris Trio was formed in 1988 and over the following years the group has won a number of Dutch awards, including the ‘Philip Morris Finest Selection’ award and the Annie Bosboom Prize. Since 2001 the trio has received financial support by the Dutch Ministry of Culture. The trio’s discography encompasses two centuries of repertoire for piano trio, and includes song cycles and a critically acclaimed recording of Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps. In 2009 the group released a fine CD featuring the piano trios of Antonin Dvořák.

Composer and arranger Bob Zimmerman is mostly known for his work on the album ‘Fascinating Gershwin’ that was released on the label Pentatone in 2007. He has also collaborated with the great Dutch choreographer Krzysztof Pastor in the 2010 ballet production, “Nijinsky”.

With her Mimì, she conquered the world. Mirella Freni’s extraordinary career lasted for over 30 years, and she never lost the enchanting youthfulness of her voice. She said farewell to the operatic stage in 2005 as a celebrated soprano in full possession of her vocal skills. Recordings from three Sunday concerts by the Münchner Rundfunkorchester document Mme. Freni in arias that reveal the many different facets of her artistry. The program ranges from her key role, Mimì, all the way to Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s Evgeny Onegin.

Previously unreleased recordings by Mirella Freni.

Documents from the popular Sunday concerts by the Münchner Rundfunkorchester from the 1970s and 80s.

Recorded in Munich in 1971

Renée Fleming sings opera arias by Puccini and his contemporaries. Celebrating the composers of the Verismo style.

Favourite Puccini arias from La Bohème, Turandot, Manon Lescaut, Il Trittico etc.

Rarely heard arias by other Verismo composers.

World Premiere recording of the original manuscript version of the aria from Puccini’s Manon Lescaut.

Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann joins Renée Fleming for an irresistible melody from Act II of Puccini’s La Rondine.

Adrianne Pieczonka's diary for the next few months makes it clear that this soprano, long celebrated for her Wagner and Strauss roles across the world, is now also in international demand for the Italian repertoire. She is singing Tosca in San Francisco, Desdemona in Munich,Amelia, Simon Boccanegra, at the Met alongside Plácido Domingo and Requiem at Carnegie Hall. None of which should be a surprise as she is one of the finest exponents of bel canto singing today. Pieczonka's foray into Puccini roles takes us from his debut Le Villi to the late Turandot. She can offer with ease the dramatic power necessary for the title roles of Madama Butterfly or Tosca, yet she still remains true to the lyrical ideal, whether in Lauretta's 'O mio babbino caro' or the soulful phrases of Mimì or Liù that are so beloved of the public.Tosca's prayer has become an acknowledged highpoint in her repertoire, though the same should now be said of the whole rôle itself. She may have famously borrowed the jewellery of Maria Callas to sing Tosca, but she needs no borrowed plumes, for as we hear on this CD,Adrianne Pieczonka has emerged as a Puccini singer of the first rank.

"Domingo was lucky to have a wonderful Sieglinde in the lovely Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, who brought a gleaming voice, affecting vulnerability and exciting sensuality to her performance." New York Times

"The company's "Tosca" has been around… But Tosca is new: Adrianne Pieczonka sang the role for the first time Saturday. The Canadian soprano will surely be singing it for a long time. She was radiant." LA Times

In 1957 Rosanna Carteri and Giuseppe Di Stefano recorded this disc of love duets. Both singers regarded these performances to be amongst the best of their huge recording output. Includes duets from Turandot, Otello and La Boheme.

This CD features soprano Amarilli Nizza singing Puccini’s most memorable arias.

The talented Milanese singer outlines Puccini’s heroines with her typical passion and emotional engagement.