Swedish soprano Malin Byström, hailed as one of today’s leading singing actors, presents a captivating journey through her celebrated German repertoire. Renowned for her perfect vocal technique, Byström brings to life arias and scenes that have enthralled audiences on stage and in concert, accompanied by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under Thomas Søndergård.

The album features excerpts from two 19th-century German operas among her favourites: Beethoven’s Fidelio and Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischütz. It also spotlights Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Die tote Stadt, a lushly orchestrated work that, despite today’s relative obscurity, was one of the greatest hits of the 1920s.

However, it is Richard Strauss who takes centre stage, a composer whose genius for the female voice is unmatched. Byström’s voice, described by critics as “radiant”, “sparkling”, and “silvery”, soars through the opulence of Die ägyptische Helena, the timeless lyricism of Capriccio, and the dramatic intensity of Salome’s final scene. This album is a testament to her artistry, showcasing her mastery across the breadth of German operatic tradition.