Strauss, (R.): Four Last Songs / Capricco: Final Scene

ony Classical International proudly announces the second solo album by American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen, "Strauss - Four Last Songs". Presenting works of Richard Strauss's later years, Willis-Sørensen's latest release pairs the composer's sublime Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) with the closing scene of his final opera, Capriccio. Renowned conductor Andris Nelsons leads the Gewandhausorchester and German bass Sebastian Pilgrim joins Willis-Sørensen for the Capriccio scene.

The album follows up on the soprano's Sony Classical debut, an aria recital entitled "Rachel", released last year to unanimous international praise. Gramophone magazine recommended the album as "a rewarding and intelligent debut from a very fine singer", while Germany's Das Opernglas noted that "Willis-Sørensen sings marvellously with her beautifully shimmering, silvery, well-rounded soprano voice, whose slight vibrato enhances the emotions expressed."

The new album reveals Willis-Sørensen's mastery of some of the greatest vocal and interpretive challenges in Strauss. A luminous, long-lined lyricism characterises the Four Last Songs, which together comprise what Willis-Sørensen views as "a parable for life. Musically speaking, you have the expectation of one particular harmonic resolution, and then it goes in a different direction and it's rendered more beautiful because it surprises you. Life is absolutely like that!"

American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen is known for her diverse repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner. A regular guest at the leading opera houses around the world, Le Monde enthused, "...the American soprano has without a doubt one of the most impressive voices in the opera world."