GAETANO DONIZETTI (1797-1848): Parisina.

Description: Opera Rara, in their usual deluxe presentation, makes a great case for this 1833 melodrama being one of Donizetti's finest operas, period. It has a wealth of exquisite, sensuous and beautiful arias for the title character and a grief-stricken intensity opening the final act which is hard to match anywhere else at the time and which leads to an electrifying conclusion. 3 CDs. Italian-English libretto. Carmen Giannattasio (soprano), José Bros (tenor), Dario Solari (baritone), Nicola Ulivieri (bass-baritone), Ann Taylor (mezzo), Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra; David Parry.