Verdi – Lise Davidsen

Decca Classics proudly announces Lise Davidsen: Verdi, released on 11 September. Recorded with Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the album marks the Norwegian soprano’s first recording devoted entirely to Verdi, bringing together scenes from five of the composer’s greatest operas: Macbeth, Un ballo in maschera, La forza del destino, Don Carlo and Aida.

Described by Metropolitan Opera General Manager Peter Gelb as “in a league of her own,” Davidsen is widely recognised as one of today’s leading dramatic sopranos. Earlier this year, her role debut as Isolde in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu prompted Fiona Maddocks in The Observer to ask: “Is Lise Davidsen the soprano of the century?” Following acclaimed performances as Elisabeth in Don Carlo, Leonora in La forza del destino and her recent role debut as Lady Macbeth in Copenhagen, the release arrives one week before she opens the Metropolitan Opera’s 2026/27 season as Lady Macbeth, alongside fellow Decca tenor Freddie De Tommaso as Macduff.

Rather than simply bringing together some of Verdi’s best-known arias, the album explores the emotional worlds of five remarkable women. From Elisabeth’s quiet dignity and Leonora’s search for redemption to Amelia’s vulnerability, Lady Macbeth’s psychological darkness and Aida’s inner conflict, these performances reveal Verdi’s extraordinary understanding of character and drama. Recorded with Edward Gardner, one of today’s foremost interpreters of this repertoire, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the performances combine dramatic intensity with lyrical refinement, bringing fresh perspective to some of Verdi’s greatest heroines.