Brett Dean: Rooms of Elsinore (BIS Records)

Brett Dean describes the five pieces featured on this recording as the culmination of a deep and ongoing engagement with Shakespeare's *Hamlet*. In his introductory text, Dean explains that the goal of this program is to create "a sonic exploration of the spaces, atmospheres, and archetypes of emotion and character that shape and define the unfolding tragedy of *Hamlet*." "Gertrude Fragments," for mezzo-soprano and guitar and written for Lotte and guitarist Andrey Lebedev, pays homage to the art of lute songs from Shakespeare's time and delves into the complex character of Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude.

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​The Past & I: 100 Years of Thomas Hardy (Delphian Records)

This collaboration between Lotte and composer Arthur Keegan celebrates Thomas Hardy’s special place in art song over the last 100 years. The album includes new arrangements of beloved music by Finzi and Britten alongside beautiful songs (some unearthed from archives) by Imogen Holst, Muriel Herbert, Ivor Gurney, Robin Milford and Derek Holman. At its heart are three new pieces composed specially for the project: Kerry Andrew’s haunting setting of Hardy’s The Echo Elf Answers and a pair of song cycles by Arthur Keegan exploring the poet’s complex relationship with his first wife Emma and his obsession with the passage of time. Through close collaboration with the composer, Lotte Betts-Dean’s unique vocal qualities, charisma and expressive emotional range have fundamentally shaped this celebration of Hardy and song.

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Michael Finnissy: Alternative Readings (Divine Art Métier)

Finnissy’s music transcends conventional boundaries, challenging societal norms and acting as a catalyst for change. His compositions reflect a deep connection to humanity, with the voice playing a central role in conveying powerful narratives. This new release features the Marsyas Trio, renowned for their mission to revive classical repertoire and commission new works, alongside Lotte and the masterful piano artistry of Joseph Havlat. The album’s centerpiece, “Wisdom,” commissioned during the 2020 lockdown, delves into the collective human experience of isolation and connectivity.

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Stuart MacRae: Earth, thy cold is keen (Delphian Records)

In 2021, Stuart MacRae heard a recorded performance by Lotte of The Lif of this World, his 2008 setting of an anonymous Middle English lyric. Entranced by the way she shaped its phrases and ornamentation, he immediately began to conceive new works for her voice, solo or lightly accompanied, as well as to bring to completion several other works-in-progress. This extraordinary flurry of activity – eight vocal works completed in less than two years – is captured here, and reveals the extent to which MacRae’s recent music has expanded to embrace folk-like simplicity alongside the modernist techniques of his earlier work. Similar qualities are found in two works for the violin-and-cello duo Sequoia, while MacRae himself appears on harmonium and contributes electronics to two of the vocal solos.

Dimitris Soukaras: ROOTS (Naxos Records)

Lotte features on the debut album of Greek guitarist Dimitris Soukaras, for the premiere recording of Philippos Tsalahouris’ song cycle ‘HaiKu’ op 109, settings of Greek Haiku poetry by the composer. This album was released in October 2021 by Naxos Records.

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Ensemble Q: Phantasy & Folksong (Ensemble Q Live)

Lotte features in the Berio Folksongs on this newly released disc, recorded live in performance with Ensemble Q in Brisbane in May 2019. Works by Britten, Penderecki and Golijov complete the programme.

Ormond String Quartet: Bushfire Dreams (Tall Poppies Records)

Lotte features as guest artist on a new disc by the Melbourne based Ormond Quartet which celebrates Australian string quartet repertoire, including works by Conyngham, Gyger, Abbott and Greenbaum. Lotte sings on Katy Abbott’s It Is Just The Heart (2006.)