On her second solo album Lisette Oropesa has combined two of her greatest loves, the French language and Italian bel canto. This recording with the Dresdner Philharmonie under the baton of Corrado Rovaris showcases the variety of lesser-known and more popular works by Rossini and Donizetti, featuring arias that contain coloratura, lyricism, drama, heightened emotion, and even comedy.

Star soprano Lisette Oropesa made her Pentatone debut with Ombra Compagna, Mozart Concert Arias in 2021, and sung the title heroine in a complete recording of Verdi’s La Traviata, also released on the label in 2022. The Dresdner Philharmonie was involved in that same recording, and has also participated in several other recordings released by Pentatone, such as Weber’s Der Freischütz (2019), Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Puccini’s Il Tabarro (both 2020) and Beethoven’s Fidelio (2021). Conductor Corrado Rovaris particularly excels in bel canto and verismo repertoire, and makes his Pentatone debut.

Lisette Oropesa says “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to prepare and record these arias for our album, French Bel Canto, to showcase the variety of the works composed by these beloved composers. Each half of the album features arias that contain coloratura, lyricism, drama, heightened emotion, and even comedy…and these are just the works that suit my voice type! There is a vast repertoire out there for every fach to sing, and for every listener to enjoy. I encourage you to delight in the glory of this music, lovingly performed by myself and my colleagues of the Dresdner Philharmonie and the Staatsopernchor Dresden, led by the masterful Corrado Rovaris. Together, we hope these selections will broaden your appreciation of the contributions of some of the greatest operatic composers who ever lived.”

Lisette Oropesa – Vocals, Soprano
Dresdner Philharmonie – Orchestra
Corrado Rovaris – Conductor