Gramophone Magazine

The five unmissable new classical albums to hear this week
August 2024

This live recording of Jake Heggie's Intelligence was made during the world-premiere run of performances at Houston Grand Opera. Intelligence tells the true story of two women who ran a Union spy ring during the American Civil War. An impressive cast is led by Janai Brugger, J'Nai Bridges and Jamie Barton, and Kwamé Ryan – current Music Director of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra – conducts the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. Jamie Barton's album of Heggie's songs, 'Unexpected Shadows', with Heggie himself at the piano was both an Editor's Choice and was shortlisted for a Gramophone Award in 2021.