Giuseppe Verdi

“As a whole, the interpretation encompasses everything from the dark, conspiratorial air of the start (Nesterenko quite excellent) through the ardent statements of love from three of the principals ("Ah, sì, ben mio" beautifully shaped) to the rollicking extroversion of gipsies and soldiers [...] I would unhesitatingly recommend this version to even the most jaded Verdian” Gramophone Magazine, 1984

This limited edition deluxe version includes a special DVD featuring a 40-minute film on Rolando Villazon containing footage from the recording sessions, candid interview and concert footage with 5 complete arias from Carmen, Les Pecheurs de perles, Eugene Onegin, Der Rosenkavalier and Fedora.

“The young Mexican tenor is an impressive artist, and much about his new recital hits the spot.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2006 ***

“A rarely fine voice in its prime, a live responsive temperament, admirable vocal schooling, all fuelled by innate musical and dramatic feeling: these are some main ingredients… The solo from Les Pêcheurs de perles was chosen for last month's cover disc... and this alone must have encouraged many to wait no longer. A finely poised, long-phrased performance with sufficient of the dream about it and yet a sensitive awareness of modulations, light and shade... But the choice is wide. In the Italian repertoire it ranges from the gracefully lyrical serenade from Don Pasquale to the intensely felt aria of renunciation in Un ballo in maschera. In German, Villazón offers the gently voiced prayer of Alessandro Stradella and the famous aria from Martha... A sorrowful but not over-indulgent account of Lensky's aria in Eugene Onegin is a notable extension of the repertoire...” Gramophone Magazine, April 2006

“Sutherland came to Ernani too late in her career, you may feel in this late-1980s recording. Pavarotti is merely competent; somehow this melodrama never gets off the page.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2006 ***

“Bonynge brings more relish to the ryhthms, and (helped by the brighter recording) is better at exposing the colourfulness of orchestration...Sutherland's well-observed and skilfully executed staccatos in her big solo... Nucci's legato, Pavarotti's thrilling account of the Ivanov cabaletta... the orchestra are fine, the chorus excellent... there is much to like here” Gramophone Magazine, April 1998

“Sutherland gives a commanding account of the role of Elvira...Helped by the sympathetic conducting of her husband, she endearingly throws caution to the winds...On sounds terms, this reissue easily outshines its CD rivals.” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ****

“Maria Callas's art at its greatest, in her capacity to turn anything she sings into gold. Her range, from classicism to verismo, is breathtaking. A wonderful disc.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2006 *****

“A highly desirable conflation of one and a half LPs on one generously filled CD, which allows us to hear Callas’s unique voice and art with even greater faithfulness. Serafin gives admirable support throughout.” Gramophone Magazine