SAVERIO MERCADANTE (1795-1870): Caritea, regina di Spagna.

Description: This 1995 live recording was the first ever of this 1826 work about whose importance Grove Opera notes, "the florid manner of Rossinian lyric drama is deployed with greater regard for the dramatic action, and there is more of the lyrical pathos that is associated with Bellini or Donizetti rather than Rossini (though Caritea antedates all the characteristic works of both these composer)." 3 CDs. Italian libretto. Nana Goradze (soprano), Jacek Laszczkowski (male soprano), Sonia Lee (mezzo), Nicolas Rivenq (baritone), Bratislava Chamber Chorus, Orchestra Internazionale d'Italia Opera; Giuliano Carella. Original 1996 Nuova Era release.