Rafael’s Music Notes reviews Isabel Bayrakdarian, Constantine Orbelian, the Kaunas City Symphony, and Jory Vinikour’s new recording, The Other Cleopatra:

“In this intriguing DELOS release the Armenian-Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian explores the story of Cleopatra of Egypt, Queen Consort of King Tigranes II of Armenia in the operatic music of Hasse, Vivaldi and Gluck, all three of whom wrote operas about the Armenian King. … Isabel Bayrakdarian does a superb job of bringing to life the multi-faceted character of Cleopatra in music that ranges from the poised to the extravagant. … Constantine Orbelian authoritatively conducts the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, eliciting a lean sound perfectly suited to the High Baroque style of Hasse and Vivaldi as well as to the transitional Early Classical leanings of the young Gluck. … the overall project – production and engineering – is first class in sound and looks.”

—Rafael de Acha, Rafael’s Music Notes

See the full review on rafaelmusicnotes.com