Warner continues apace with their excellent opera series drawn from the rich Teldec and Erato back catalogues. Rossini's "L'Italiana in Algeri" received a now famous recording under the able baton of Claudio Scimone with Samuel Ramey in the title role of Mustafa'. Other notable singers in this early 1981 digital pressing are Kathleen Battle and Marilyn Horne who sing their roles with admirable capability and technical ability.
Verdi's "La Traviata" has received myriad recordings over the years and this one is definitely no exception. With Gruberova a fine "Violetta" and an equally fine Neil Shicoff as Alfredo Germont, the opera moves along quite nicely under the able direction of Carlo Rizzi. There is a sense of a grand occasion all round and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this particular version to all those who are perhaps new to the work.
Copyright © 2010, Gerald Fenech