This month is dominated by chamber music from some of the bigger beasts in the musical jungle right now, but first an engaging disc from an Australian singer making her mark with something a little bit different. Moonlight Reflections (Move MCD613) is the debut recital from Mauritian-Australian soprano Stacey Alleaume, a performer who recently lit up the Sydney Harbour stage as Violetta in Opera Australia’s La Traviata. Eloquently partnered by Australian pianist Amir Farid, it’s a collection of art song in French, Italian and English with a handful of favourites but plenty that’s less familiar and well worth getting to know.

On the RecordImage credits, top right to bottom left: Heart Chamber © Deutsche Oper Berlin / Michael Trippel, Danny Driver © Kaupo Kikkas,  Alina Ibragimova © Eva Vermandel, Stacey Alleaume © Greg Desiatov

In her online review, Justine Nguyen finds her interpretation of French songs to be “especially appealing” and Farid’s presence “an unabating pleasure”. She also particularly enjoys a pair of songs by Puccini and reserves special praise for her inclusion of Amy Beach’s Three Browning Songs. “Alleaume is very impressive here, demonstrating an attention to the words that further elevates the material. Her...