EDGE Boston

The influential French electronic duo crafted its first film score, for "Tron: Legacy," three years ago and are now releasing a well-financed, smartly hyped pop album featuring what they call an ensemble cast of contemporary singers and veteran musicians.

For hundreds of thousands of Streisand fans, many of whom were Friends of Dorothy, "Classical Barbra" was the album that first introduced them to the songs of Faure, Debussy, Schumann and Wolf.

Boston will get its first alternative music festival on May 25 and 26. Boston Calling will welcome 18 artists, including fun., the National, Dirty Projectors, Ra Ra Riot, Matt & Kim, Marina and the Diamonds and more.

While ’Smash’ is coming to an end, the series has produced a break-out star in Megan Hilty. With a CD, a smashing performance as Lorelei Lee in an Encores ’Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,’ & appearances with the New York & Boston Pops, she couldn’t be happier.

Phoenix is reborn with another cutting-edge indie album, dub pop duo Standish/Carlyon makes some wild noise, Straight No Chaser pays homage to the artists that inspired them, and She & Him drop another sunny compilation of uncomplicated tunes.