Donizetti

That Pene Pati is a talented tenor far beyond the ordinary is obvious, and I hope he isn’t tempted to take on heavier roles too early [GF]

A good alternative choice recording featuring some very winning performances among the cast [MP]

No masterpiece, but a well-performed and welcome addition to filmed Donizetti [RMay]

(Déjà Review) A bargain price introduction to an opera that has all the virtues of Donizetti’s melodic invention [RJF]

A complete recording of Donizetti’s La Favorite is let down by some less than beautiful singing [PT]

Good, honest, open-throated singing in an intriguing and highly enjoyable reconstruction of a formerly lost work – and a star performance by the lead soprano [RMo]

Javier Camarena as Fernand is worth a listen, but the singing on the whole is too compromised for a general recommendation [GF]

Coarse at times, but often exciting, as one would expect a bleeding nun to be [MP]

An opera overlooked for far too long is presented in the best possible light [MC]

Pristine refreshes Callas’s 1959 stereo recording and prompts a re-evaluation of its considerable merits [PT]

(Déjà Review) I strongly recommend all lovers of the composer’s music and the bel canto genre to add it to their collections [RJF]

On balance, still the best of Callas’ recordings of Lucia di Lammermoor [RMo]

Sign me up for this regiment: this recording is as good as it gets [MP]

“La favorite” is well served in a complete new edition, well sung and staged [RWe]

Callas’ stereo remake is a more mature and inward reading of the role – now in even fresher sound [GF]

Well received when launched, with good singing and staging, this problematic production treats the title role unsympathetically [RWe]

Ten very well-filled discs documenting six glorious decades at the Paris Opera [RMo]

An outstanding album, groundbreaking in repertoire and programming, beautifully performed and recorded [GPu]

Donizetti sung boldly, but not always stylishly [MP]

(Déjà Review) An ideal introduction to this delightful opera and also to the young Alagna [RH]

Superbly remastered, a second-rank Donizetti opera blighted by Poggi’s unattractive contribution [RMo]

A welcome debut recital which promises much for the future of bel canto singing [MP]

A magnificent full-size portrait of a truly great bel canto artist [GF]

Another impressive release by the Donizetti Opera festival, uncut and on original instruments [RWe]