The classical figures of Medea and Lysistrata have captivated creative artists for centuries. The latest of them is Steingrímur Rohloff, an Icelandic-German composer who found his sensual, crystal-clear musical voice while studying with Gerard Griséy in Paris.

The specially configured music recorded here benefits from Tuva Semmingsen’s ravishing voice and Rohloff’s decade of collaboration with Esbjerg Ensemble – to beautiful, resonant and dramatic effect.

Poetry’s sixth sense, the dramatic power of emotional extremes and the fantastical capabilities of melody and harmony lie behind Rohloff ’s success as an opera composer. His music’s surface beauty and finesse conceal deep and frequently dark explorations of human life. His storytelling instincts have made his stage works creatively embracing despite their musical rigour and clarity.

This album contains the world premiere recordings of two works by Rohloff, both based on female characters from the classic Greek dramas, Medea and Lysistrata, and with texts by Danish poet Peter Laugesen.

The songs are recorded by the versatile Norwegian mezzo-soprano Tuva Semmingsen, whose international career includes performances at the Teatro la Fenice in Venice, the Royal Opera in Stockholm, the Norwegian Opera and festivals such as the Bergen International Festival and the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival. In the film world, Semmingsen is also known for her contribution to Lars von Trier’s Antichrist, where she sings the famous aria by Handel, Lascia ch’io pianga.