Rossini: Aureliano In Palmira. London Philharmonic

Kenneth Tarver (tenor), Catriona Smith (soprano), Silvia Tro Santafé (mezzo-soprano), Ezgi Kutlu (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Foster-Williams (bass-baritone), Vuyani Mlinde (bass-baritone), Julian Alexander Smith (tenor), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Maurizio Benini

Rossini: Aureliano in Palmira

One of Rossini's rarest scores, the dramma serio Aureliano in Palmira was written during his miraculous 21st year (1813), when Rossini produced four operas in all. The other three - the comedies Il signor Bruschino and L'italiana in Algeri, plus the tragedy Tancredi - indicate not only his amazing fertility of his inventive powers but also the staggering quality of his youthful writing. Even so, Rossini fans will recognize the overture to Aureliano, which he recycled in three other scores, most notably Il barbiere di Siviglia. On the way to the opera's inevitable happy ending, there is plenty of extreme emotion to fire-up some exciting vocal writing. A great success in its day, Aureliano promises to thrill another generation of listeners in this new studio recording under Maurizio Benini. The set includes a lavishly illustrated book including a complete libretto with an English translation by Jeremy Commons and a synopsis by Richard Osborne.

Price: $79.98