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On 2^nd June, 2014, there is going to be a double discographic event: two albums interpreted by the Armonia Atenea ensemble, conducted by George Petrou, will be released. The first album features ballet music, the Creatures of Prometheus by Ludwig van Beethoven, and the second one contains Christoph Willibald Gluck's arias performed by tenor Daniel Behle; let's not forget that on 2^nd July, 2014, it is Gluck's 300 year-anniversary.

Do you remember Armonia Atenea?

We had the chance to listen to the Armonia Ateneaensemble, conducted by George Petrou, here in Romania, within the 2013 edition of the 'George Enescu' International Festival, when it performed Handel's opera Alessandro, during one of the midnight concerts, which lasted until late in the night; the audience at the Athenaeum was so excited about the performance of the Greek ensemble, that the concert was followed by a long autograph session.

Handel's opera Alessandro is one of Armonia Atenea's great successes. The album which includes this recording received the 'Complete Opera CD of the Year Award' at the International Opera Awards; it also received many eulogistic prizes as well as reviews from the most important international magazines in the field.

So, the quality of the Armonia Atenea ensemble is well-known. Armonia Atenea is the new name of the Athens Camerata, which was founded in 1991; the orchestra was managed by important names, such as Neville Marriner or Christopher Warren Green. The ensemble has a busy artistic season at the Megaron Hall in Athens, but it is also invited to perform all over the world - and this is a confirmation of the high artistic stature, which is presently perfected by George Petrou, the ensemble's music director - a conductor whose classical-romantic and baroque repertoires are equally convincing.

The album featuring the ballet music the Creatures of Prometheus, the only work of this genre which was actually finished by Beethoven, was long waited for and now we have the opportunity to listen to it on Radio Romania Music on the very day it is released internationally.

Gluck and Daniel Behle

On 2^nd June, 2014, a second album signed by the Armonia Atenea - this ensemble that enjoys great success at the moment - will be released. This second album is a homage paid to composer Christoph Willibald Gluck, whose 300 year-anniversary will be celebrated on 2^nd July.

Of course, arias by Gluck were chosen; they are performed by Daniel Behle, a German tenor who is mostly known for his lied repertoire; however, during the 2013-2014 season, he will also have his debut on the stages of some of Europe's great opera theatres.

The two albums we are listening to today are also included in the Vote for the Best Classical Album of 2014 campaign; I hereby invite you to vote for the albums in the competition, as it is your vote that will decide which will be Romania's classical music album of 2014.