Coming Soon,
Bryan Hymel signed by Warner Classics
Warner Classics have just announced that they have signed an exclusive contract with Bryan Hymel, the exciting New Orleans-born tenor who has been making waves on the world's greatest stages over the past couple of years in demanding French heroic repertoire which few singers have the necessary vocal weight, height and flexibility to tackle.
Still only 34, Hymel came to international prominence following a series of happy accidents which saw him replacing high-profile singers as diverse as Jonas Kaufmann (as Énée in Covent Garden's Les Troyens), Juan Diego Flórez (in the title-role of Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable, also at Covent Garden) and Marcello Giordano (again as Énée, at the Met, less than a week later!)
Exact repertoire is still to be confirmed, but the programme looks set to be an intriguing and unusual one, centring on the dramatic French roles which showcase Hymel's rare combination of vocal heft and ease in the upper register; Meyerbeer, Berlioz, and French Donizetti and Rossini are likely to feature. He will be joined by the Prague Philharmonia under Emmanuel Villaume for the disc, which is set for release early next year.
Recent recordings featuring Bryan Hymel:
Replacing an indisposed Jonas Kaufmann for the entire run, Hymel brought the house down in this June 2012 production from David McVicar and Antonio Pappano, particularly in the punishing Act Five aria 'Inutile regrets!'; Gramophone deemed him 'a match for Jon Vickers', whilst MusicWeb declared that 'you are never in any doubt that you are listening to a hero'.
Available Format: 2 DVD Videos
Taking the baton from Florez this time, Hymel demonstrates that the vocal weight which was evident in Les Troyens doesn't preclude agility and ringing top Cs and Ds: International Record Review observed that he 'takes everything in his vocal stride', and BBC Music stated that 'Hymel hurls himself unstintingly at the title role, impossible high notes and all.'
Available Format: 2 DVD Videos
Katherine Cooper - Head of Editorial
