Karen Huffstodt (Julia), Anthony Michaels-Moore (Licinius), J. Patrick Raftery (Cinna), Denyce Graves (La Grande Vestale), Dimitri Kavrakos (Le Souveraine Pontife), Aldo Bramante (Le Chef des Auspices)
Chorus & Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Muti
Spontini's operatic rarity is given a beautiful treatment from La Scala. Only one copy in stock!
This 3-CD set features Denyce Graves in the title role, and Anthony Michaels Moore as Licinius. Composed in 1805, Spontini's legacy work faced opposition in the beginning from the Opera and rival composers. La vestale is famous in historical terms but is only very infrequently performed. Here Muti brings new life into this hidden gem. The singers and orchestra are exquisite. This recording has been re-issued at the same price, but with generic packaging and a sparse libretto. Nothing like the extravagance of this box!
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