Verdi: Ritorna vincitor! (from Aida)

Mirella Freni was one of Herbert von Karajan’s favourite singers; indeed, he is known to have commented that if he could have any voice in the world, it would be hers. Combining a stunning voice with heartfelt acting, Freni is equally at home in the lighter roles, such as Mozart’s Susanna and Zerlina, as in the weightier roles of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut and Tosca. This collection brings together arias from throughout Freni’s illustrious career.

The operas of Verdi today form the mainstay of the repertoire of opera houses all over the world. Some of his music has become absorbed into popular culture from being used in TV adverts and film soundtracks, as well as being performed by the most famous classical singers of the day in concerts and on records. Pieces from the same opera are grouped together, beginning with the famous drinking song from La traviata: ‘Libiamo’, followed by other popular favourites from La traviata, Rigoletto and Il trovatore, among them being the swaggering ‘La donna è mobile’ and the powerful Anvil Chorus. The first CD concludes with extracts from two earlier operas: Ernani and Macbeth, the latter providing one of Verdi’s most impressive soprano scenas in which the scheming Lady Macbeth calls on the powers of evil to assist her in murdering King Duncan. The second CD opens with the heartfelt chorus: ‘Va, pensiero’ from Nabucco, sung by the Hebrews in exile longing for their homeland. Then come more well-known arias and choruses from Verdi’s later operas like Un ballo in maschera, La forza del destino and Aida. After extracts from his moving Requiem Mass, we hear the Fire Chorus from another of Verdi’s Shakespearian settings: Otello and the programme ends with three items from what some now consider to be Verdi’s finest work, the historical drama Don Carlo.

This wonderfully constructed 2CD collection of opera arias highlights Callas’s spectacular climb to fame tracking her move from innocent young woman to the tragic heroine in her later years through the opera arias she recorded.

Featuring the most special and exquisitely interpreted arias of her output this collection brings together such opera favourites as O mio babbino caro, Vissi d’arte and Casta diva.

These first releases of Margaret Price with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester cover a time period from 1977 to 1991. Her work was largely concentrated on Mozart and Verdi, to which this CD pays ample credit, and also features arias by Bellini, Cilea, Rossini and Weber. Mozartian clarity, a consistently effortless vocal production, histrionic fire and a healthy grounding – these attributes made Margaret Price an internationally revered opera star, especially by Munich audiences. Her relationship with the Bavarian State Opera was so close that Margaret Price settled in Munich for 18 years, not returning to her native Wales until the end of her career.

Previously unreleased live recordings from the “Sunday Concerts”.

Singer portrait featuring Margaret Price’s core repertoire, including famous arias from Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, Aida, Otello and Norma.

Continuing the “Great Singers Live” series with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester under the direction of Heinz Wallberg, Leopold Hager and Thomas Fulton.