Huw Montague Rendall's latest album, Contemplation, is a masterful collection of operatic gems, showcasing the artist's remarkable vocal range and emotional depth. Released on 6 September 2024 under the esteemed Warner Classics label, this 1 hour and 15-minute album is a treasure trove of iconic arias and songs from the world of opera.
With a carefully curated tracklist, Huw Montague Rendall takes listeners on a journey through the works of renowned composers such as Thomas, Gounod, Korngold, Mahler, Britten, Duparc, and Mozart. From the dramatic intensity of Hamlet and Faust to the lyrical beauty of Die tote Stadt and Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, each piece is performed with precision and passion.
The album's diverse repertoire also features beloved operatic excerpts from Roméo et Juliette, Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Die Zauberflöte, demonstrating Huw Montague Rendall's impressive versatility and technical skill. Additionally, the inclusion of lesser-known gems like Messager's Monsieur Beaucaire and Rodgers' Carousel adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the album.
Throughout Contemplation, Huw Montague Rendall's powerful and expressive voice brings each character to life, conveying the complexities and nuances of the human experience. The album's thoughtful pacing and nuanced interpretations make it an absolute delight for fans of opera and classical music. With Contemplation, Huw Montague Rendall cements his position as a leading vocalist of his generation, and this outstanding album is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who listen.
Thomas: Hamlet, Act 3: Récitatif. "J'ai pu frapper le misérable" - Air. "Être ou ne pas être" (Hamlet)Ambroise Thomas, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Gounod: Faust, Act 2: Récitatif. "Ô sainte médaille" - Air. "Avant de quitter ces lieux" (Valentin)Charles Gounod, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Korngold: Die tote Stadt, Op. 12, Act 2: "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" (Fritz)Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 1, Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit machtGustav Mahler, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 2, Ging heut' morgen über's FeldGustav Mahler, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 3, Ich hab' ein glühend MesserGustav Mahler, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 4, Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem SchatzGustav Mahler, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2: "Look Through the Port" (Billy)Benjamin Britten, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette, Act 1: Ballade. "Mab, la reine des mensonges" (Mercutio)Charles Gounod, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act 3: Aria. "Hai già vinta la causa" (Almaviva)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act 2: Canzonetta. "Deh vieni alla finestra" (Don Giovanni)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Messager: Monsieur Beaucaire, Prologue: Chanson de la rose rouge. "Au jardin où les fleurs sont écloses" (Beaucaire)André Messager, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, Act 2: "Papagena! Weibchen! Täubchen!" (Papageno, Die drei Knaben)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen, Benjamin Gilbert, Oliver Barlow, Sam Jackman
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. 620, Act 2: Duett. "Pa-Pa-Pa-Papagena" (Papageno, Papagena)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen, Elisabeth Boudreault