Invocation
Elsa Dreisig’s new opera album with the Orchestra & Chorus of the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova, conducted by Massimo Zanetti.
Invocation is a luminous opera recital built around moments of prayer, supplication, reflection, and emotional revelation. Bringing together iconic arias and rare discoveries, Elsa Dreisig explores the fragile and powerful instants in opera when a character’s inner voice becomes fully audible.
About Invocation,
the new album by Elsa Dreisig
With Invocation, French-Danish soprano Elsa Dreisig explores some of the most intimate pages in the operatic repertoire. Recorded with Massimo Zanetti and the Orchestra & Chorus of the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova, the album moves between beloved masterpieces and rare gems, revealing a programme shaped by tenderness, vulnerability, spiritual intensity, and lyrical radiance.
The story behind Invocation
“I have always found operatic invocations to be moments of pure magic, both for listeners as well as for us singers.
Such invocations bring together two dimensions: a world of intimacy and vulnerability, which gives rise to a palette of unique vocal colours, and the act of appealing to a person or some supernatural power, which imbues the scene with a distinctive dramatic intensity.
It is this blend of the intimate and the dramatic that I find so affecting.
Invocations are never inconsequential; rather, they are concentrated, profound and sometimes mysterious. They are moments of pure presence, with nothing to prove, where the character takes stock and you can hear their soul in song.”
“Moments of pure presence, where you can hear the character’s soul in song.”
Elsa Dreisig
Invocation reviews, interviews and press quotes
[Reviews]
“It’s a deeply felt interpretation, and her vocal purity and dynamic control are commendable.” Limelight
"Elsa Dreisig bewältigt die unterschiedlichen, teils recht anspruchsvollen Anforderungen der von ihr zusammengestellten Arien und Lieder gleichermaßen souverän.” Der Opernfreund
“Ein ambizioso spirto ist Elsa Dreisig von Anfang an gewesen”. Rondo Magazin
“For her latest recorded recital, she focuses on vulnerable heroines, blending intimacy and drama through a program of "invocation" arias—pieces where, as she puts it, "one hears the soul singing".” Qobuz
"Dankbar kann man dieses Album als Bereicherung durch selten Gehörtes begrüßen.” Klassik Begeistert
“On peut constater avec Invocation à quel point la soprano franco-danoise a gagné en maturité et la voix en largeur et en longueur.” Forumopera
“Ansatzlos formt sie ihre Töne, ihre Linien bindet sie nahtlos, ohne Haucher.” Concerti
[Interviews]
“Elsa Dreisig dévoile Invocation, un récital mêlant airs d’opéra rares et classiques. Une plongée intime dans son univers musical et ses choix artistiques.” Classica
“Elsa Dreisig met son âme à nu.” Radio Classique
[Podcasts]
“Soprano Elsa Dreisig on her opera and song recital 'Invocation'.” Gramophone
“Elsa Dreisig explore le thème de la prière et de l'invocation à travers les œuvres de 14 compositeurs.” Radio France
Tracklist
The Invocation tracklist brings together iconic opera arias and rare repertoire, highlighting Elsa Dreisig’s range as a soprano across composers such as Dvořák, Puccini, Bellini, Verdi, Wagner, and Amy Beach.
Antonín Dvořák — Rusalka: Song to the Moon
Leoš Janáček — Jenůfa: Prayer
Giacomo Puccini — Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
Giuseppe Verdi — La forza del destino: La vergine degli angeli
Vincenzo Bellini — Norma: Introduction & Casta Diva
Charles Gounod — Mireille: Voici la vaste plaine
Edvard Grieg — Peer Gynt: Solveig’s Song
Peter Heise — Drot og Marsk: Jeg beder for hver en vejfarende sjæl
Amy Beach — 3 Songs, Op. 11: Extase
Carolina Uccelli — Anna di Resburgo: Sulla rupe triste e sola / Ma dopo tanti sospiri e pianti
Gioachino Rossini — Le siège de Corinthe: Juste ciel ! Ah, ta clémence
Richard Wagner — Tannhäuser: Elisabeth’s Prayer
Charles Gounod — Sapho: Où suis-je ? / Ô ma lyre immortelle
Georges Bizet — Clovis et Clotilde: Prière, ô doux souffle de l’ange !
Giacomo Puccini — Tosca: Vissi d’arte
Giuseppe Verdi — Otello: Ave Maria, piena di grazia
Friedrich von Flotow — Martha: Letzte Rose
Invocation album details
At the heart of Invocation is the soprano voice in its most intimate and expressive form. The programme unites prayer, longing, contemplation, and dramatic intensity across a wide range of styles, offering both famous arias and lesser-known treasures in a recital of exceptional emotional depth.
Artist
Elsa Dreisig
Voice Type
Soprano
Category
Classical Vocal / Opera Recital
Repertoire
Opera arias and songs
Conductor
Massimo Zanetti
Orchestra & Chorus
Orchestra & chorus of the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova
Label
Erato
Languages
Six languages
Duration
1h40
Recording year / Release year
2024 / 2026