First performed at the Teatro Regio, Turin, on 5 March 1876, Lauro Rossi's penultimate opera Cleopatra caught the public's attention in the wake of Verdi's Aïda (1871). Like that better-known work, it contains some wonderful arias and set pieces, including a marvellous Act 1 banquet scene, Cleopatra's Act 2 aria, the thrilling ensemble that closes Act 3, and the confrontation between Cleopatra and Octavian in Act 4, all making for compelling viewing and listening. From the brooding opening scene in which Diomedes foretells the fall of Egypt to Cleopatra's death scene, this gripping grand opera by one of Italy's forgotten masters springs vividly to life in this revival filmed at the 2008 Macerata Sferisterio Festival.

Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH have announced “In Absentia Dei”, a groundbreaking immersive live-stream spectacular which will broadcast on September 5 from a secret church location in Poland. The event will be streamed in high-definition 4K.

Charles Mingus - Mingus Quintet meets Cat Anderson (1972) {Get Back GET2030 rel 2007}
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© 1972, 2007 Get Back | GET2030
Jazz/ Post Bop / Progressive Jazz / Bass

The Get Back label issued some significant 1960's and '70s concert dates from some of jazz's most iconic figures. THE CHARLES MINGUS QUINTET MEETS CAT ANDERSON is one such recording. The disc captures the legendary bassist and his group playing in Berlin in 1972, and turning in a thrilling set that folds nearly every jazz style–from classic swing to the further reaches of the avant garde–into one organic whole.

Laurent Marode - Starting Soon (2020) {Black and Blue BB 10852}
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© 2020 Black and Blue | BB 10852
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Piano

Laurent Marode has the art of setting the scene, of creating an atmosphere. The proof was given in 2017 with ‘This way please’ (Black & Blue / Socadisc), evoking the double passion of the pianist-composer for jazz and cinema. It comes back to us with almost the same formation –Luigi Grasso giving way to Pablo Arias on the viola-, a nonet which is not without reminding us of the groups of the 50s of the West Coast. The vibraphone and the flute do not are no strangers to this sonic color suitable to seduce sensitive ears and hearts.

The Japanese harpsichordist and harpist, Marie Nishiyama, began studying piano at age 3 In 1992 she graduated from the piano department of Tokyo Music University with piano soloist diploma, and in 1994 also received her master's degree in harpsichord there. She studied under Yoshio Watanabe (harpsichord) and Yoshiko Ueda (organ).

The Japanese harpsichordist and harpist, Marie Nishiyama, began studying piano at age 3 In 1992 she graduated from the piano department of Tokyo Music University with piano soloist diploma, and in 1994 also received her master's degree in harpsichord there. She studied under Yoshio Watanabe (harpsichord) and Yoshiko Ueda (organ).

Choir leader, singing teacher, singer and composer, Maurice Bourbon leads three vocal ensembles as the art director of the Chapelle des Flandres Association - Métamorphoses, a vocal ensemble of international soloists, Coeli et Terra, a top-level chamber choir, and Biscantor!, a vocal ensemble of young adults, founded respectively in 1983, 1987 and 2005.

Horace Silver - Song For My Father (1964) {Blue Note Japan, CP32-5213, Early Press}
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© 1964, 1986 Blue Note / Toshiba EMI Japan | CP32-5213
Jazz / Hard Bop / Piano

One of Blue Note's greatest mainstream hard bop dates, Song for My Father is Horace Silver's signature LP and the peak of a discography already studded with classics. Silver was always a master at balancing jumping rhythms with complex harmonies for a unique blend of earthiness and sophistication, and Song for My Father has perhaps the most sophisticated air of all his albums. Part of the reason is the faintly exotic tint that comes from Silver's flowering fascination with rhythms and modes from overseas – the bossa nova beat of the classic "Song for My Father," for example, or the Eastern-flavored theme of "Calcutta Cutie," or the tropical-sounding rhythms of "Que Pasa?"

European Jazz at its finest blending Spanish roots, Nordic space and sound with one of the brightest and most talented British bands around.

Anthony Davis - Undine (1987) {Gramavision 18-8612-2}
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© 1987 Gramavision | 18-8612-2
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Piano

Pianist Anthony Davis and his Episteme ensemble perform two lengthy and complex pieces ("Still Waters" and "Undine") that mix together aspects of avant-garde jazz and contemporary classical music. Davis' group includes J.D. Parran on flute, clarinet and contrabass clarinet, Marty Ehrlich on clarinet, bass clarinet and flute, cellist Abdul Wadud and percussionist Gerry Hemingway, plus bassoon and violin. Unusual music (reissued on CD) that takes a few listens to fully absorb.

Golden-era, 1977, Brazilian jazz-funk-fusion album from the legendary, Azymuth. Lush Rhodes, soaring synths and fusion guitars from Malheiros and Bertrami combine with the inimitable drum grooves from Ivan “Mamao” Conti that create the signature Azymuth sound. The album moves from mellow soulful moods, into screaming disco-jazz-fusion, samba funk, synth boogie and ends with a tough 160bpm Batucada workout.

Ace of base are one of the most successful pop groups who ruled the charts in the 1990s, producing inescapable pop singles, including 12 UK Top 40 hits. Hits include: #1 worldwide chart Toppers 'all that she wants' And 'the sign' Alongside 'don't turn around', 'life is a Flower', 'cruel summer' And 'beautiful life'. Edsel presents Ace of base 'all that she wants: the classic collection' To celebrate the group's 30th anniversary. This 11 CD + DVD career-spanning box set featuring the classic albums: 'happy Nation', 'the bridge', 'Flowers' And 'da capo', plus the rarities and out-takes compilation 'hidden gems'.