Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang (Anna Fraser; Neal Peres Da Costa)

Information

1. Johann Anton Andre - Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 40: I. Liebe
2. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: I. Liebesbotschaft
3. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: II. Kriegers Ahnung
4. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: III. Frühlingssehnsucht
5. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: IV. Ständchen
6. Johann Anton Andre - Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 40: IX. Sehnsucht
7. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: V. Aufenthalt
8. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: VI. In der Ferne
9. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: VII. Abschied
10. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: VIII. Der Atlas
11. Johann Anton Andre - Lieder und Gesange, Op. 40: III. Serenade
12. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: IX. Ihr Bild
13. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: X. Das Fischermädchen
14. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: XI. Die Stadt
15. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: XII. Am Meer
16. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: XIII. Der Doppelgänger
17. Franz Schubert - Schwanengesang, D. 957: XIV. Die Taubenpost

Anna Fraser, soprano

Neal Peres Da Costa, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Deux-Elles Limited

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This recording marks the second commercial release from the Australian Research Council Discovery Project, The shock of the old: Rediscovering the sounds of bel canto 1700–1900, led by Neal Peres Da Costa. Following his acclaimed Schumann recording, Peres Da Costa collaborates with soprano Anna Fraser to recreate the authentic sound of Schubert's historic "Schubertiades." Drawing on 19th-century vocal recordings and Manuel García's influential vocal methodology, Fraser innovatively varies her vocal timbre within individual phrases. The result is a startling yet warm and charismatic performance that successfully transcends conventional stylistic boundaries.

Sydney-based soprano Anna Fraser is a highly versatile artist celebrated for her expressive interpretations of early, classical, and contemporary repertoire. A former decade-long core member of the Song Company, she performs extensively with premier Australian and international ensembles, including Pinchgut Opera, Sydney Chamber Opera, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Notable stage roles include acclaimed performances in L'Orfeo and the premiere of Mary Finsterer's opera Antarctica. Also a dedicated music educator, Fraser is currently a doctoral candidate at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a research assistant for the project The Shock of the Old: Rediscovering the Sounds of Bel Canto 1700–1900, investigating historical vocal practices.

Neal Peres Da Costa (born 1964) is an internationally renowned Australian harpsichordist, fortepianist, and organist specializing in historical keyboard instruments from the 17th to 19th centuries. He is a Professor and Chair of the Early Music Unit at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, having earned a PhD from the University of Leeds focused on 19th-century piano performance practices. Da Costa co-founded the award-winning period instrument ensemble Florilegium and has performed globally with leading ensembles and soloists. An acclaimed scholar, he authored Off The Record: Performing Practices in Romantic Piano Playing and won a 2008 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album.

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