Opera and Vocal Releases Featuring Netrebko, DiDonato, Jaroussky, and Mattila Highlight EMI Classics and Virgin Classics December Releases

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As music lovers enter the final lap of their holiday shopping marathon, EMI Classics and Virgin Classics offer some high-profile releases that are perfect recommendations for last minute gifts. Opera and vocal enthusiasts have multiple offerings to choose from, including an all-star performance of Rossini’s Stabat Mater conducted by Antonio Pappano and featuring Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato, Lawrence Brownlee, and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo on EMI Classics; French superstar countertenor Philippe Jaroussky singing opera arias by Antonio Caldara on Virgin Classics; and Luc Bondy’s controversial season-opening production from 2009-10 of Puccini’s Tosca from New York’s Metropolitan Opera, with Finnish soprano Karita Mattila in the title role, also on Virgin Classics. Other highlights this month include Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang playing Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, and The Very Best of Nigel Kennedy, both on EMI Classics.

Comments

Elsie Stockdale said…
I strongly recommend The Very Best of Nigel Kennedy........it makes a great Christmas present since no matter what your musical tastes are you'll find something to enjoy on it. I just wish whoever compiled it had thought fit to include the Andante from the Elgar Violin Concerto........Nigel Kennedy at his very, very best !
December 19, 2010 at 6:55 AM
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