The Franco-Italian mezzo-soprano will expand her Erato presence next autumn with Amazone, her first solo recital for the label.

The young mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, a rising star of the lyric scene, has signed an exclusive agreement with Warner Classics. Autumn 2021 will bring the release of her debut album, Amazone, an ambitiously conceived collection of baroque arias celebrating these feminine figures which were a great source of inspiration for the composers of the 18th century.

For her first solo recital, Lea Desandre has chosen to record with Jupiter, the instrumental ensemble founded by Thomas Dunford in 2018, and several guest stars. The Amazone program will include many world rediscoveries.

Previously, Lea Desandre teamed up with Sabine Devieilhe, Emmanuelle Haïm and Le Concert d’Astrée for a collection of Italian cantatas by Handel (released in 2018), and with Laurence Equilbey, the Insula Orchestra and five other singers for Magic Mozart (released last autumn). She was also part of Jean Rondeau and Thomas Dunford’s Barricades program (released in May 2020).

Lea Desandre is Despina, beside the Fiordiligi of Elsa Dreisig and the Dorabella of Marianne Crebassa, in the recent DVD release of the 2020 Salzburg Festival’s special production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte, directed by Christof Loy and conducted by Joana Mallwitz (April 2021)

On her new exclusive contract:

“I’m delighted to be embarking on this new collaboration with Warner/Erato. With an open mind, a shared history, and an eye to future artistic alliances, it will make a wonderful reality of dreams that I have been nurturing for years.” – Lea Desandre

Alain Lanceron, President of Warner Classics & Erato, on the signing of both Lea Desandre and lutenist and conductor Thomas Dunford:

“Lea Desandre and Thomas Dunford are emblematic of the rising generation of musicians in historically informed performance. Sharing their joy in music-making with their listeners, they combine integrity with imagination, curiosity with creativity, and discipline with a sense of freedom. While respecting tradition and scholarship, they imbue all their endeavours with a spirit of adventure.

“With Lea being French-Italian, and Thomas being French with an American father, it is hardly surprising that they can transcend so many borders with apparent ease while retaining a distinctive identity. We are delighted that they have made this major commitment to the Erato label.”