Gaetano Donizetti

Donizetti’s fiftieth opera, Marino Faliero, was first performed in Paris on 12 March 1835 with a cast comprising four of the finest singers of the period before premiering in London a few weeks later. Although these premières were both overshadowed by Bellini’s I Puritani, Marino Faliero subsequently enjoyed a long and successful run of international performances throughout the 19th century before disappearing from the stage until its modern revival in 1966. Set in Venice in 1355, it remains a major work of Italian Romanticism, sentimental, martial, full of conspiratorial adventure and culminating with the execution of the leading rôle.

This recording is also available on Naxos DVD 2110616-17.

This recording of Don Pasquale, despite its age (1932), has long been regarded as the yardstick by which all subsequent versions of this sparkling opera have been measured. Still in fine voice, Ernesto Badini (1876 - 1937) in the title role was undoubtedly the finest basso buffo of the day - he was London's first Gianni Schicchi) and Tito Schipa was at the height of his career. Saraceni and Poli were also matchless in their roles. Also included are rare highlights in German with Rita Streich and Josef Greindl stylishly conducted by Fritz Lehmann, some tracks of which are on CD for the first time. There is also space for two further bonuses: Streich singing Norina's aria in Italian and the legendary version of Pronta io son with Lotte Schöne and Willi Domgraf-Fassbänder

This recording features no less than 17 world premieres and covers the Trio’s first ten years. Material chosen has been inspired by their concert performances and firm favourites. The programme follows a certain theme, which interested listeners are invited to discover. Now there’s a challenge!

‘Melodies of Love and Death’ features the highly regarded Osiris Trio, a Dutch piano trio that since its formation over 20 years ago has been the recipient of many major awards. Their programme is an unusual but rewarding one, since it is devoted to special arrangements made by Bob Zimmerman of some of the best loved opera arias in the repertoire, from Bizet and Verdi to Puccini and Janacek.

The Osiris Trio was formed in 1988 and over the following years the group has won a number of Dutch awards, including the ‘Philip Morris Finest Selection’ award and the Annie Bosboom Prize. Since 2001 the trio has received financial support by the Dutch Ministry of Culture. The trio’s discography encompasses two centuries of repertoire for piano trio, and includes song cycles and a critically acclaimed recording of Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps. In 2009 the group released a fine CD featuring the piano trios of Antonin Dvořák.

Composer and arranger Bob Zimmerman is mostly known for his work on the album ‘Fascinating Gershwin’ that was released on the label Pentatone in 2007. He has also collaborated with the great Dutch choreographer Krzysztof Pastor in the 2010 ballet production, “Nijinsky”.

Born in Modena, a small town in northern Italy, Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) was the son of a baker and amateur tenor. He grew up surrounded by his father’s recordings of the day’s leading opera singers - including Giuseppe di Stefano, Jan Kiepura, and Enrico Caruso - and he went on to become one of the most popular vocalists of all time. This collection features favourite arias from classic operas, including La bohème, Rigoletto, and Lucia di Lammermoor.

Born in Modena, a small town in northern Italy, Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) was the son of a baker and amateur tenor. He grew up surrounded by his father’s recordings of the day’s leading opera singers - including Giuseppe Di Stefano, Jan Kiepura, and Enrico Caruso - and he went on to become one of the most popular vocalists of all time. This collection features favourite arias from classic operas, including L’elisir d’amore, I Pagliacci, Luisa Miller, Don Giovanni, and Martha.

Born in Modena, a small town in northern Italy, Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) was the son of a baker and amateur tenor. He grew up surrounded by his father’s recordings of the day’s leading opera singers - including Giuseppe Di Stefano, Jan Kiepura, and Enrico Caruso - and he went on to become one of the most popular vocalists of all time. This 2-CD set includes arias from Verdi’s Rigoletto, Puccini’s Turandot, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Massenet’s Manon, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi.

This is Sutherland’s first Lucia and is now back in the catalogue in splendid sound. This performance was at Covent Garden in 1959.