The latest album from male soprano Samuel Mariño features works by Handel, Caccini, Dvořák, Liszt, Strauss, Rachmaninov, and Edith Piaf, as well as Mariño’s own arrangements of ​“The Last Rose of Summer” and ​“Baïlèro” from Joseph Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne. It reflects a move towards a more lyrical and romantic sound from this unique artist. Lumina was recorded with the Covent Garden Sinfonia, conducted by Ben Palmer, and featuring pianist Jonathan Ware.

Many of the arias featured on this album were originally written for female voices and are heard here for the first time performed by a male soprano. Mariño draws inspiration from nature as well as spirituality, transcending conventions of sex, gender and the body in this album, he calls “.. in many ways, a love letter to my audience. It’s a gesture of gratitude for their support — for accepting me, respecting me, and walking with me through both the highs and lows.”

LUMINA Samuel Mariño | Decca Classics