29 September – 3 October
Hélène | Nuit Persane
Illing | Davislim | McKendree-Wright | Kenneally
Orchestra Victoria | Guillaume Tourniaire</B< td>
Melba Recordings MR301114-2

Saint-Saëns wrote Hélène for Melba Recordings label’s namesake, Dame Nellie Melba, who sang the title role in its first performance in Monte Carlo in 1904. Melba recording’s founder Maria Vandamme rediscovered the piece and committed to returning it to the catalogue. French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire conducts a cast led by tenor Steve Davislim and soprano Rosamund Illing with Orchestra Victoria. Hélène is coupled with another world premier recording, the orchestral version of Saint-Saëns’s hypnotic cycle for narrator, tenor, alto, chorus and orchestra of Armand Renaud’s Nuit Persane. This 2 disc set includes a 100-page colour booklet featuring essays, illustrations and translations, with full libretto and song text. Distributed throughout Australia by Fuse.

 Click here for more information on Melba Recordings

 22 – 26 September
A Tribute to John Cargher
ABC Classics 480 1379
3CD set

For over 40 years, listeners around Australia have tuned in week after week to John Cargher’s Singers of Renown. Cargher’s unique insights into the lives of the great performers combined with the finest voices and soaring melodies created one of the most popular radio programs. This 3 CD set of highlights from Singers of Renown and Music for Pleasure honours this dearly loved radio personality who passed away in April this year. 

8 – 12 September
Erwin Schrott – Recital
Erwin Schrott, bass-baritone
Orquestra de la Commuitat Valenciana, Riccardo Frizza
Decca – 4 780 473

Uruguayan bass-baritone, Erwin Schrott’s debut album is deliciously charismatic, seductive and witty.Erwin is the first choice for Mozart roles at the Met, La Scala, the Royal Opera House and Vienna's Staatsoper.
This CD showcases his acclaimed portrayals of some of opera's most famous roles including Don Giovanni, Figaro and Mephistopheles.

1 – 5 September
MACKERRAS – WAGNER
Sydney Opera House Opening Concert 1973
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Birgit Nilsson, soprano
ABC 476 6440

In September 1973 in front of a packed, emotion charged house Sir Charles Mackerras conducted the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the first concert to be staged in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. The all-Wagner concert featured Wagnerian soprano of the twentieth century, Birgit Nilsson.

Included in this Australian Masters package are the entire concert on CD and a bonus DVD featuring television footage of the concert’s second half.