Classical Operas polished dbut in Apollo et Hyacinthus proved a pearl beyond price.

Here was a work of staggering beauty, riddled with sweet noises like Calibans enchanted isle. The Independent It is hard to imagine that there will be a more delightful and rewarding exhumation in Mozart year than this musically excellent production. Opera

PRESS RELEASE
Classical Opera

Issued by Linn Records (For Immediate Release)

Ian Page director, Andrew Kennedy Oebalus, Klara EK Melia, Sophie Bevan Hyacinthus, Lawrence Zazzo Apollo, Christopher Ainslie Zephryus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Apollo et Hyacinthus

Linn CKD 398 UK STREET DATE: 16th May 2012 / US STREET DATE: June 26th 2012 CLASSICAL OPERA TO RECORD THE COMPLETE MOZART OPERAS, COMMENCING WITH THE RELEASE OF APOLLO ET HYACINTHUS
Following its successful full length opera recording, Artaxerxes, Classical Opera presents the first in an epic series of Mozart operas: Apollo et Hyacinthus on Linn Records. The outstanding cast on the recording features Lawrence Zazzo and Sophie Bevan in the title roles, with Klara Ek, Christopher Ainslie and Andrew Kennedy, accompanied by the vibrant period instruments of The Orchestra of Classical Opera, conducted by Ian Page. This recording has been eagerly awaited since Classical Operas 2007 debut CD, The A-Z of Mozart Opera was released, described by David Vickers in Gramophone as glorious...fresh, diverse, insightful and illuminating. Written when he was only eleven years old, Mozarts Apollo et Hyacinthus is a miraculous accomplishment of drama and beauty. Mozarts fledgling genius is already apparent in the scoring: muted first violins, lapping violas and pizzicato second violins, cello and bass are gently supported by horns, creating an exquisite texture over which father and daughter lament their plight in the emotional climax of the score. This duet forms the centerpiece of a final act in which we are entirely able to forget that this is the work of an eleven-year-old, and to savour the glories of an opera which would justify occasional revival even if its creator had been four times the age when he wrote it. Classical Operas recording of Apollo et Hyacinthus was made in Blackheath Concert Halls, produced by Philip Hobbs. The second set in its complete cycle of Mozart Opera recordings on Linn Records will be of the sacred singspiel Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, also written in Salzburg in 1767 and premiered just two months before Apollo et Hyacinthus. This will be recorded in August 2012 and released in 2013. Classical Opera will be performing Apollo et Hyacinthus at St Georges, Bristol on 11th May 2012 and at Cadogan Hall, London on 14th May 2012. Classical Opera will be joined by Katherine Watson (Hyacinthus) and Andrew Radley (Zephyrus) and the rest of the cast from the recording including Lawrence Zazzo, Klara Ek, Andrew Kennedy. There will be a launch of the new partnership prior to the concert at Cadogan Hall at 7:30 PM.

Available to download in Studio Master at www.linnrecords.com Also available from other download stores
For further information, please contact: Kim Campbell, Projects Manager T +44 (0) 141 303 5130 kim.campbell@linnrecords.co.uk http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-mozart--apollo-et-hyacinthus.aspx 19/06/2012

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Classical Opera was founded in 1997 by conductor Ian Page to explore the works of Mozart and his contemporaries, and has emerged as one of the leading exponents in its field. Performing with its own acclaimed period-instrument orchestra, the company has attracted considerable critical and public recognition, not only for the high quality of its performances but also for its imaginative programming and its ability to discover and nurture outstanding young singers. Classical Opera has performed regularly at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sadlers Wells, Wigmore Hall, the Barbican and Kings Place, and has mounted staged productions of many of Mozarts operas, including Apollo et Hyacinthus, La fi nta semplice, Il re pastore, Zaide, Le nozze di Figaro and Cos fan tutte. In 2009 it was invited to present The Royal Operas new production of Thomas Arnes Artaxerxes, and it has also given the world premire of the original version of Mozarts Mitridate, re di Ponto, the UK premire of Glucks La clemenza di Tito, and concert performances of Mozarts Ascanio in Alba and Lucio Silla, Handels Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, Arnes Alfred and J.C. Bachs Adriano in Siria. Classical Operas first two recordings The A-Z of Mozart Opera (Sony BMG, 2007) and Blessed Spirit: a Gluck retrospective (Wigmore Hall Live, 2010) were both selected for Gramophone magazines annual Critics Choice, and they were followed in 2011 by Arnes Artaxerxes on Linn Records (Opera Choice, BBC Music Magazine; Disc of the Month, Opera). This recording of Apollo et Hyacinthus is the first in a major new cycle of Mozart opera recordings with Linn Records, in association with Brenreiter-Verlag Kassel. For 15 years Ian Page and Classical Opera have given critically-acclaimed performances of Mozarts operas in intimate venues across the country, cementing their position as one of the UKs foremost Mozart specialists. Ian Page has become renowned for his ability to select and mentor some of the UKs brightest young talents and now also regularly mentors young artists in the Royal Opera Houses prestigious Jette Parker Scheme. The company boasts partnerships with Wigmore Hall - where it performs four times a year and Brenreiter Association who exclusively provides scores for the company and it recently recorded its first live concert for BBC Radio 3.

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For further information, please contact: Kim Campbell, Projects Manager T +44 (0) 141 303 5130 kim.campbell@linnrecords.co.uk http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-mozart--apollo-et-hyacinthus.aspx

19/06/2012