Verdi: Lunge da lei…De’ miei bollenti spiriti (from La Traviata) (Alfredo's aria)

The internationally renowned tenor Piotr Beczala celebrates the 200th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s birth with a collection of highlights that include roles in which he has been acclaimed on the world’s great operatic stages. This new CD with Beczala and the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Lukas Borowicz includes roles for which he is rightly famous, such as the Duke in 'Rigoletto' or Alfredo in 'La traviata' (at the Met, Covent Garden and at the Bavarian State Opera), alongside rarities and arias that were ground-breaking at the time. Thus he sings Radamès’s opening aria from 'Aïda', striking the balance between drama and expression that makes this romance as charming as it is difficult. In 'Il trovatore'. Beczala does not just sing “Ah sì, ben mio” , but also his big scene with Azucena from the second part of the opera. His partner here is Ewa Podles whose dark yet brilliant contralto voice offers a fascinating contrast to Beczala’s ever-radiant, well-focussed tenor.

In arias from 'Macbeth' and 'Un ballo in maschera' in particular, Beczala shows why he has become synonymous with the protagonist, Riccardo, since his spectacular debut at the Lindenoper in Berlin. He changes genre for the “Ingemisco” from Verdi’s Requiem. Variety is also guaranteed by the selection of tenor arias from rarely performed Verdi operas such as 'Les vêpres siciliennes' and 'I Lombardi', in which Piotr Beczala once again demonstrates the lissom elegance of his phrasing.

The recording closes with the friendship duet from 'Don Carlo', which Beczala crowns with a superb top C. Here, he is partnered by baritone Mariusz Kwiecien as Posa, whose vocal timbre adds luxury to the casting.

Here is Plácido Domingo’s first glorious contribution to Verdi Year – a wide-ranging anthology of his starring roles, over two hours of glorious singing

From Alfredo's Brindisi to Manrico's Di quella pira, with extended extracts from his parade role, Otello, all the hits and favourites are there (La donna è mobile, Celeste Aida, Quando le sere al lacido, Fontainebleau!, Lunge da lei, Un dì felice, Questo o quella, Ingemisco)

Rarities as well, including selections from Alzira, I due Foscari, Oberto and Il Corsaro

Released to coincide with Verdi’s anniversary year (1813 to 2013.) A unique and carefully-crafted personal selection of Verdi arias and songs that takes us on a musical journey from Verdi's earliest compositions 1838 to the very last he wrote for the tenor voice: the beautiful aria from Falstaff "Dal labbro il canto estasiato vola" 1893

Featuring familiar, universal favourites such as “La donna e mobile” and “Questo o quella”, alongside less familiar gems from across Verdi’s operatic output.

Recorded in Turin, with the world-class Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, and under the direction of award-winning conductor, Gianandrea Noseda.

Rolando owes his international breakthrough to Verdi: he has made opera history in La Traviata, Rigoletto and Don Carlo, as well as being a celebrated interpreter of the breath-taking Requiem. This is Rolando’s own personal tribute to one of history’s most popular composers.

A special collection of the great Verdi tenor arias taken from Luciano Pavarotti's classic recordings, made at the height of his prime.

Packed with famous melodies known and loved the world over, including "Celeste Aïda", "Questa o' quella", "Ah si, ben mio", "Di quella pira" and "La donna è mobile".

This album also includes the arias from the Riccardo Muti complete recording of "Don Carlo".

Sung with Pavarotti's inimitable style and verve, this highly commercial collection will have wide appeal.

2 CDs for the price of 1.

Virgin Classics is delighted to announce the signing of an exclusive contract with the Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon. The 31-year-old makes his debut disc with repertoire that ranges from bel canto arias to masterpieces of verismo: Cilea, Puccini, Donizetti, Verdi.