Diana Damrau, the renowned soprano, invites you to celebrate the festive season with her enchanting album "My Christmas," released on November 4, 2022, under Warner Classics. This exquisite collection of 35 tracks, spanning over 2 hours and 21 minutes, is a delightful blend of traditional Christmas carols and classical pieces, offering a unique and personal take on the holiday season.
The album begins with a medley of beloved Christmas songs, including "Weihnachtszeit," "Alle Jahre wieder," and "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen," beautifully arranged to set the festive mood. Damrau's crystalline voice shines through in these familiar tunes, making them feel fresh and new. The first half of the album is filled with traditional Christmas carols, such as "Stille Nacht," "O du fröhliche," and "Adeste fideles," sung in various languages, showcasing Damrau's versatility and linguistic prowess.
The second part of the album takes a more classical turn, featuring arias from Handel's "Messiah," Bach's "Weihnachtsoratorium," and Mozart's "Vesperae solennes de confessore," among others. Damrau's operatic training and experience are evident in her powerful and nuanced performances of these complex pieces. The album also includes a few lesser-known gems, such as Zelenka's "Laudate pueri" and Franck's "Panis angelicus," providing a refreshing change of pace.
Throughout the album, Damrau is accompanied by the Knabenchor Hanover, a renowned boys' choir, and the NDR Radiophilharmonie, conducted by Riccardo Minasi. Their combined talents create a rich and immersive soundscape that perfectly complements Damrau's voice.
"My Christmas" is not just an album; it's an experience. It's a celebration of the holiday season, a showcase of Diana Damrau's incredible vocal range and versatility, and a testament to the enduring power of classical music. Whether you're a fan of opera, a lover of Christmas carols, or simply someone looking for a beautiful and festive album to enjoy, "My Christmas" is sure to delight. So, gather your loved ones, pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, and let Diana Damrau's enchanting voice transport you to a world of holiday cheer.
Weihnachtszeit: Tochter Zion / Alle Jahre wieder / Es ist ein Ros entsprungenFriedrich Silcher, George Frideric Handel, Traditional, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Leise rieselt der SchneeTraditional, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
WeihnachtenEngelbert Humperdinck, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Adeste fideles (Medley): Adeste fideles / Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle / Petit Papa Noël / Il est né le divin enfant / Gesù bambinoHenri Martinet, Pietro Yon, Traditional, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Mariä WiegenliedMax Reger, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Süßer die Glocken nie klingenTraditional, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
KalenderliedFranz Grothe, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Warten aufs Christkind (Medley): Leise rieselt der Schnee / Fröhliche Weihnacht überall! / Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling! / Morgen, Kinder, wird’s was geben / O TannenbaumTraditional, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Schlaf wohl, du Himmelsknabe duMax Reger, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
WeihnachtsfriedeRené Kollo, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Die HirtenPeter Cornelius, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Angels and Shepherds (Medley): The First Nowell / Engel auf den Feldern singen / Tu scendi dalle stelle / Birjina gaztetto bat zegoen / In dulci jubiloTraditional, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Silent Night / Noche de paz / Douce Nuit / Stille NachtFranz Xaver Gruber, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
ChristroseRobert Stolz, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
O du fröhlicheTraditional, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Heilig Abend (Medley): Still, still, still / Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her / Kommet, ihr Hirten / Zu Bethlehem geborenMartin Luther, Traditional, Diana Damrau, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Traditional / Arr. Bucher: Joy to the World!Traditional, Diana Damrau, Norddeutscher Figuralchor, Raphael Alpermann, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Handel: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74: No. 1, Air. "Eternal Source of Light Divine"George Frideric Handel, Diana Damrau, Matthias Höfs, Raphael Alpermann, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Mozart, Handel: Der Messias, K. 572, Pt. 1: No. 13, Aria. "Erwach, frohlocke, o Tochter von Zion" (After Handel's Messiah, HWV 56)George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Diana Damrau, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Mozart, Handel: Der Messias, K. 572, Pt. 1: No. 14, Aria. "Er weidet seine Herde" (After Handel's Messiah, HWV 56)George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Bach, JS: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51: No. 1, Aria. "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!"Johann Sebastian Bach, Diana Damrau, Gabriel Smallwood, Matthias Höfs, Richard Whilds, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Bach, JS: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 4: No. 39, Aria. "Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein Namen"Johann Sebastian Bach, Diana Damrau, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Bach, JS: Was mir behagt, BWV 208 "Jagdkantate": No. 9, Aria. "Schafe können sicher weiden"Johann Sebastian Bach, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Zelenka: Laudate pueri, ZWV 81: I. Laudate pueriJan Dismas Zelenka, Diana Damrau, Matthias Höfs, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Zelenka: Laudate pueri, ZWV 81: II. Quis sicut DominusJan Dismas Zelenka, Diana Damrau, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Zelenka: Laudate pueri, ZWV 81: III. AmenJan Dismas Zelenka, Diana Damrau, Matthias Höfs, Wolfgang Zerer, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Mozart: Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339: V. Laudate DominumWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Diana Damrau, Norddeutscher Figuralchor, Raphael Alpermann, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Mozart: Vesperae de Dominica, K. 321: V. Laudate DominumWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Diana Damrau, Knabenchor Hannover, Raphael Alpermann, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Mozart: Mass in C Minor, K. 427 "Great Mass": Laudamus teWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Diana Damrau, Raphael Alpermann, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie
Franck: Messe à trois voix, Op. 12, FWV 61: Panis angelicusCésar Franck, Diana Damrau, Raphael Alpermann, Riccardo Minasi, NDR Radiophilharmonie