Anna Netrebko - Verdi (2013)

In her first studio album for five years, Anna Netrebko celebrates the mighty power and compelling human drama of Verdis music. The superstar Russian soprano has surged to the top of the opera world since the release of her first recording for Deutsche Grammophon a decade ago, propelled by the unforgettable force of her interpretations of landmark works of the operatic repertoire. Anna Netrebko Verdi is destined to stand out among major highlights of the composers bicentenary year, thanks not least to the albums choice of music personally and diligently selected by the artist and the sheer intensity of its music-making.

Anna Netrebko has chosen to explore the psychological depths of five of Verdis most complex characters. Anna Netrebko Verdi opens with excerpts from Macbeth, including Lady Macbeths sleepwalking scene and progresses through the turbulent psychological landscapes of Giovanna d Arco, Elena from I Vespri Siciliani and Elisabetta from Don Carlo and on to Leonora from Il trovatore. Tenor Rolando Villazon, who launched Verdi Year with his own solo album on Deutsche Grammophon, here joins forces with Netrebko for a scene from the final act of Il trovatore.

Netrebkos expressive conviction in each role reflects her mature understanding of Verdis art. The albums authentic spirit is reinforced throughout by the presence of the Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Regio Torino and their Music Director, Gianandrea Noseda. The Italian conductor first met Netrebko during his time at the Mariinsky Theatre and conducted her Deutsche Grammophon debut album. Recording this album has been a wonderful journey, full of discoveries, the singer recalls. Together with Gianandrea and the fantastic orchestra, our goal is to do justice to Verdis beautiful creations.