Maxim 2006

Rossini's wonderful comic opera, written when he was only 21, to an Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli, was first performed in Venice on May 22, 1813. Since then audiences have thrilled to such mezzos as Teresa Berganza and Marilyn Horne, in the title role of Isabella, the Italian girl who torments the Pasha into loving his own wife. Here rising star Christianne Stotijn, a BBC Young Generation Artist, moves into new repertoire in this production from Aix-en Provence, 2006, conducted by Rossini specialist Riccarda Frizza and directed by Toni Servillo.

"Phénoménal Vengerov!" proclaims the cover of this budget box set, and for a one-word description that's not bad. Gifted with classic dark Slavic good looks, this Russian (in fact, Siberian) violinist has technique in abundance. In the music collected here, recorded for EMI between his signing in 2000 and an arm injury that temporarily sidelined him in 2006 and somewhat redirected his career, he's not so much a member of the "Russian school." In fact, the only Russian music on the three CDs is a transcription of the Rachmaninov Vocalise.

Fedotov studied at the Special Music School in Leningrad and then at the Moscow Conservatory. As well as his career as a soloist, he has also been chief conductor of the Russian Symphony Orchestra (2003–2005), artistic director and chief conductor of the Moscow City Symphony Orchestra – Russian Philharmonic Orchestra from 2006 until December 2010, professor of the Moscow Conservatory since 1987, and professor and head of Department of Violin and Viola of the Gnessin-Academia of Music from 2003 until 2008.

Quatre personnes autour d’une table, et voilà la branche berlinoise des Leo pour ainsi dire au complet. Les nombreux autres membres de la famille, qui ont fui les nazis dans les années 1930, sont dispersés dans le monde entier. Au fil de ce récit poignant, Maxim Leo se rend chez eux, en Angleterre, en Israël et en France, et retrace le destin de ses trois grands-tantes : Hilde, l’actrice devenue millionnaire à Londres …