Linn Records is delighted to announce their first recording with Alfie Boe.

Franz Lehar Love was a Dream is Alfie's opportunity to explore new repertoire and to record a truly personal album featuring songs from the operettas of Lehar.

Alfie has always wanted to make this recording having grown up listening to his father’s favourite composer: Franz Lehár. Sadly his father died in 1997 and this album is inspired and in honour of him. “My Father would put his favourite records on and more often than not it would be Richard Tauber singing songs of Franz Lehár, my education had begun. My Father was a huge fan of this repertoire so it is for him that I sing these songs.”

Franz Lehár (1870 – 1948) wrote some of the most beautiful music in 20th century operetta producing songs that are charmingly lyrical with alluring melodies. Alfie enjoyed wonderful days in Glasgow recording songs together with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and conductor Michael Rosewell.

Alfie, who performed to an audience of over 1.5 million on BBC 2’s ‘Maestro’ last year, has come a long way since sleeping on a park bench in Hyde Park, opposite the Royal Albert Hall. His recent castings include leading roles with English National Opera, Welsh National Opera and Covent Garden. Alfie makes his much-anticipated WNO debut as Alfredo in their production of La traviata in Autumn 2009.

Franz Lehár – Love was a Dream
Just believe it’s true (Schön ist die Welt) Vilia (The Merry Widow) Girls were made to love and kiss (Paganini) Oh maiden, my maiden (Frederica) You are my heart’s delight (The Land of Smiles) Love was a dream (Giuditta) Beautiful Italy (Paganini) Patiently smiling (The Land of Smiles) Love unspoken (The Merry Widow) Friends, this is the life for me! (Giuditta) Beneath the window (The Land of Smiles) Farewell, my love, farewell (Frasquita)

Release date 23 Nov 2009
Available to download now at high resolution at www.linnrecords.com
Also available from other download stores from 23rd November 2009

Tour dates

Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre  La traviata with WNO 12th, 14th, 18th, 29th September
1st and 3rd October

Swansea, Brangwyn Hall The Dunvant Male Choir 25th September

Llandudno, Venue Cymru La traviata with WNO 13th and 16th October

Liverpool, Empire Theatre La traviata with WNO 21st and 23rd October

Oxford, New Theatre La traviata with WNO 3rd and 6th November

Bristol, Hippodrome La traviata with WNO 10th and 13th November

Southampton, Mayflower Theatre La traviata with WNO 25th and 27th November

Manchester, Bridgewater Hall La traviata with WNO 23rd January 2010

Birmingham, Symphony Hall with CBSO 30th March 2010

Source: Linn Records

Article posted by: xcept
Thursday, September 24, 2009 @ 20:12:53 BST