Nelly Miricioiu – Rossini Gala

Academy of St Martin in the Fields / David Parry

Opera Rara ORR 211 – 1 CD – 76.58 mins, Recorded July 1999

With Simon Bailye, Barry Banks, Patrizia Biccire, Bruce Ford, Garry Magee, Alastair Miles, Dominic Natoli, Dean Robinson, Enkelejda Shkosa, Antonia Sotgiu and George Mitchell Choir

Extracts from Aureliano in Palmira , Semiramide, Bianca e Falliero, Armida, Zelmira, Mose in Egitto, Vallace, Elizabeth regina d'Inghilterra

Gala indeed - a feast of Rossini rarities, served up to near perfection. At the centre of the recording Miricioiu sings with total assurance and complete immersion in the characters of the very differing roles she portrays ….. lyrical, regal, melancholy, vengeful, triumphant …. We are treated to it all.

And not only Miricioiu at her best, alongside her are the silken voiced Alisatair Miles, an incredibly young and fresh voiced Garry Magee, Enkelejda Shkosa producing apparently effortless bel canto fireworks, to name but three.

The whole is produced in Opera Rara's customarily immaculate style, complete with libretto and in-depth notes – a recording to cherish and return to again and again.

Serena Fenwick