Melanconia

An acclaimed Italian guitar virtuoso and composer, Mauro Giuliani, along with Fernando Sor, was one of the last great classical proponents of his instrument until its revival in the early twentieth century. He studied counterpoint and the cello, but on the six-string guitar he was entirely self-taught, and that became his principal instrument early on. Italy abounded with fine guitarists at the beginning of the nineteenth century (Carulli remains the most familiar today), but few of them could make a living because of the public's preoccupation with opera. So Giuliani embarked on a successful tour of Europe when he was 19, and in 1806 he settled in Vienna, where he entered the musical circle of Diabelli, Moscheles, and Hummel. He solidified his reputation with the 1808 premiere of his Guitar Concerto in A major, Op. 30, and was soon heralded as the greatest living guitar virtuoso. Even Beethoven noticed Giuliani, and wrote of his admiration for him. Perhaps to return the favor, Giuliani played cello in the 1813 premiere of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.

Signum Classics are proud to present superstar soprano Angela Gheorghiu’s first album on the Grammy-award winning label. Described as “the world’s most glamorous and gifted opera star” (New York Sun), Ms Gheorghiu’s magnificent voice and dazzling stage presence have established her as a unique international opera superstar. Her new album, released to mark the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, brings together a collection of little-known songs spanning his entire career. The album features a world premiere recording of the recently rediscovered song “Melanconia”. It also includes songs that Puccini used as inspiration in his famous operas, such as “Sole e amore”, “Mentia l’avviso”, “Sogno d’or” and “Morire?”. Other notable works on the recording are “Salve Regina” and the title track “A te” composed by Puccini at just 16 years old.