Warner Classics
Working with Warner Classics / Erato, Knight Classical has an on-going commitment to conceive, create, and deliver recorded performances of Berlioz works for our conductor John Nelson.
John Nelson: Handel’s Messiah (Coventry Cathedral)
In November 2022 Knight Classical presented a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at Coventry Cathedral conducted by John Nelson with renowned soloists Lucy Crowe, Alex Potter, Michael Spyres and Matthew Brook together with the English Concert and the English Concert Choir. This project fulfilled a lifelong dream of John Nelson’s, bringing together this inspiring work and the historic and symbolic setting of Coventry Cathedral, to express a powerful message of hope. The project, which was conceived, developed and promoted by Knight Classical, marks an important milestone in the series of recorded concert performances we are delivering for John Nelson. The performance was recorded for audio release by Warner Classics, for streaming by medici.tv and for television broadcast by Mezzo.
Mozart: Requiem
Released 2023 on Erato / Warner Classics
Michael Spyres, The English Concert, Lucy Crowe, Alex Potter, Matthew Brook
John Nelson: Harold en Italie & Nuits d’Eté
In October 2021, as part of our commitment to conceive, create, and deliver recorded performances of Berlioz works for our conductor John Nelson, we mounted two concert performances of Harold en Italie and Nuits d’Eté. Nelson is joined on this recording by Michael Spyres (tenor), Timothy Ridout (viola), and long-term Berlioz partners Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg. The recording was released on Warner Classics/Erato in November 2022.
John Nelson: La Damnation de Faust
In 2019, we continued our long-term commitment to conceive, create and deliver recorded performances of Berlioz works for conductor John Nelson by arranging concert performances of “The Damnation of Faust” in collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg. Along with John Nelson, the performances featured Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres and Nicolas Courjal. We also arranged for the recording of the performances, and the CD and DVD was released on Warner Classics on 22 November 2019.
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust
Released 2019 on Erato / Warner Classics
Michael Spyres (Faust), Joyce DiDonato (Marguerite), Nicolas Courjal (Méphistophélès), Alexandre Duhamel (Brander)
Coro Gulbenkian, Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, John Nelson
John Nelson: Berlioz Requiem
(St. Paul’s Cathedral)
In March 2019 we produced an unforgettable performance of the Grand Messe des Morts in the spectacular setting of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The project was conceived, developed and promoted by us to mark the 150th anniversary of Berlioz’ death, as part of our commitment to develop and deliver recorded performances of Berlioz works conducted by John Nelson. The concert was performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra, The Philharmonia Chorus, The London Philharmonic Choir and Michael Spyres and involved over 300 performers. The concert was recorded for CD and DVD release by Warner Classics and was live streamed by Medici.tv.
Berlioz Grande Messe des morts (Requiem)
Released 2019 on Erato / Warner Classics
Marking the 150th anniversary of Berlioz’s death, this performance of the mighty ‘Requiem’ or ‘Grande Messe des Morts’ took place in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, in March 2019. Featuring the Philarmonia Orchestra, conducted by John Nelson, it involved over 300 musicians, including tenor Michael Spyres.
John Nelson: Les Troyens
In 2018, as part of our commitment to conceive, create and deliver recorded performances of Berlioz works for our conductor John Nelson, we mounted two concert performances of this magnificent opera, featuring Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres and Marie-Nicole Lemieux, in Strasbourg. The performances, which we produced in collaboration with Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, were recorded for release by Warner Classics. The recording was received with huge acclaim and was awarded 2018 Gramophone Recording of the Year.
Berlioz Les Troyens
Released November 2017 on Warner Classic
Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Stéphane Degout, Nicolas Courjal, Marianne Crebassa, Hanna Hipp, Cyrille Dubois, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, Philippe Sly
Choeur de l’Opéra du Rhin, Badischer Staatsopernchor, Choeur philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg
Sunday Times Culture Magazine Classical Album of the Year (2017)
Gramophone’s Recording of the Month (November 2017)
Mark Pullinger’s and David Patrick Stearns’ “Critics’ Choice 2017”
Berlioz: Les Troyens – “Nuit d’ivresse et d’extase infinie!” – Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres
Berlioz: Les Troyens