Hi Res Download, Erato (label)
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Handel: Theodora
RecommendedLisette Oropesa (Theodora), Joyce DiDonato (Irene), Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian (Didymus), Michael Spyres (Septimius), John Chest (Valens), Il Pomo d'Oro, Maxim Emelyanychev
This is now the benchmark Theodora; it is optimally cast, dramatically intense and luminously beautiful. Its world-class principals use their fine vocal qualities to deepen their characters.... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 28th October 2022
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2022
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BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2022, Recording of the Month
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Sunday Times, 10 Best Classical Albums of 2022
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2023, Winner - Choral
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2023, Nominated - Female Singer of the Year (Oropesa & DiDonato)
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2023, Nominated - Male Singer of the Year (Spyres)
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2023, Nominated - Conductor of the Year
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The performances on this new release are as accomplished as we would expect from players of this calibre. —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, April 2023, Recording of the Month
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2023
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International Classical Music Awards, 2024, Nominated - Chamber Music
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Gramophone Magazine, Critics' Choice 2023
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Building A Library, January 2024, Recommended Recording (String Quintet No. 3)
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Gramophone Awards, 2023 Winners, Winner - Chamber
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Purcell: Dido & Aeneas
RecommendedJoyce DiDonato (Dido), Michael Spyres (Aeneas), Fatma Said (Belinda), Beth Taylor (Sorceress), Hugh Cutting (Spirit), Laurence Kilsby (Sailor), Alena Dantcheva and Anna Piroli (Witches)
Il Pomo d'Oro, Maxim Emelyanychev
DiDonato is magnificent as Dido, fully understanding how badly her story will end in her first aria as Purcell slides from minor to minor, then sumptuously sorrowful in 'When I am laid in Earth',... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 29th August 2025
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BBC Music Magazine, October 2025, Opera Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, October 2025, Recording of the Month
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International Opera Awards, 2025, Shortlisted - Complete Recording
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International Classical Music Awards, 2026, Nominated - Opera
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2025
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The Times, Best Classical Albums of 2025
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Baritenor
RecommendedMichael Spyres (baritenor), Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Marko Letonja
Spyres has a remarkable range and is a consummate vocal chameleon too...in a truly remarkable finale to his ‘Largo al factotum’, Rossini’s Figaro is indeed all things to all men vocally. What... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 24th September 2021
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BBC Music Magazine, November 2021, Opera Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2021, Recording of the Month
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Diapason d’Or, October 2021, Nouveauté
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Opera, December 2021, Disc of the Month
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Winner 2021
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International Classical Music Awards, 2022, Nominated - Vocal
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Sunday Times, 10 Best Classical Albums of 2021
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2022, Shortlisted - Vocal
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Gramophone Awards, 2022, Winner - Voice & Ensemble
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Debussy: Sonatas & Trios
RecommendedEmmanuel Pahud (flute), Renaud Capuçon (violin), Bertrand Chamayou (piano), Edgar Moreau (cello), Gerard Caussé (viola), Marie-Pierre Langlamet (harp)
A sense of joy in collegial music-making pervades these performances. Unlike many, violinist Renaud Capuçon and pianist Bertrand Chamayou and their colleagues do not avoid the vein of sensual... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, Recording of the Month
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2017
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2018, Winner - Chamber
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Building a Library, June 2018, Also recommended
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Record Review, 2nd December 2017, Recording of the Week
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Gramophone Awards, 2018, Shortlisted - Chamber
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Limelight Magazine Recordings of the Year, 2018, Winner - Chamber
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Handel: Agrippina
RecommendedJoyce DiDonato (Agrippina), Elsa Benoit (Poppea), Luca Pisaroni (Claudio), Franco Fagioli (Nerone), Jakub Józef Orliński (Ottone), Andrea Mastroni (Pallante), Carlo Vistoli (Narciso), Biagio Pizzuti (Lesbo), Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Giunone)
Il Pomo d'Oro, Maxim Emelyanychev
This Agrippina jostles for top place among the opera’s complete recordings. Joyce DiDonato is matchless in the title role, most other cast members likewise outstrip their rivals and their vocal... —
Awards:
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Record Review, 11th January 2020, Record of the Week
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Presto Recording of the Week, 31st January 2020
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Gramophone Magazine, March 2020, Editor's Choice
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BBC Music Magazine, April 2020, Opera Choice
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2020, Nominee - Female Singer of the Year (DiDonato)
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2020, Nominee - Conductor of the Year
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Gramophone Awards, 2020, Winner - Opera
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2020
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2021, Shortlisted - Opera
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Grammy Awards, 63rd Awards (2021), Nominee - Best Opera Recording
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Songs of Passion
RecommendedLea Desandre (mezzo), Thomas Dunford (lute, theorbo), with Alex Rosen (bass-baritone), Jess Dandy (contralto), Laurence Kilsby (tenor), Huw Montague Rendall (baritone)
Jupiter
Across two discs, the performers shed any hint of 'whitewashed' English restraint, fathoming Dowland's twilight world and Purcell's exuberant theatricality. —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2025, Editor's Choice
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International Classical Music Awards, 2026, Winner - Baroque Vocal
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Winner 2025
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The New York Times, Best Classical Music Albums of 2025
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Dynastie: Bach Concertos
RecommendedJean Rondeau (harpsichord), Sophie Gent, Louis Creac'h (violin), Fanny Paccoud (viola), Antoine Touche (cello), Thomas de Pierrefeu (contrabass) & Evolène Kiener (bassoon)
This spirited and eloquently ornamented playing serves the music of JS Bach and three of his sons uncommonly well —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, March 2017, Concerto Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, March 2017, Editor's Choice
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2017
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2018, Finalist - Concerto
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Contemplation
RecommendedHuw Montague Rendall (baritone), Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen, Ben Glassberg
The first thing one notices in this wide-ranging recital from rising baritone Huw Montague Rendall is his seriousness of purpose...There’s also top-rank work from the orchestra and conductor;... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, December 2024, Opera Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, November 2024, Editor's Choice
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalists 2024
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalists 2024, Shortlisted - Debut Solo Album
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International Classical Music Awards, 2025, Nominated - Vocal Music
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Gramophone Magazine, Critics' Choice 2024
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Gramophone Awards, 2025 Winners, Voice & Ensemble
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International Opera Awards, 2025, Shortlisted - Solo Recording
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[They] consistently transcend matters of ensemble synchronicity and textural balances, going directly to the music's heart and soul...An instant classic. —
Awards:
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2025
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Gramophone Magazine, January 2026, Recording of the Month
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