Opera News 'Larmore gives one of her best recorded performances.' Gramophone 'A vocal showcase of an opera'

 

One of Sunday Times Records of the Year ‘An excellent account... the brilliant Carmen Giannattasio with stylish Rossinians Patricia Bardon, Kenneth Tarver and Gregory Kunde, as the men in her life.’

Gramophone 'A gripping theatrical event' The Guardian 'Many marvellous ensembles beautifully performed by a strong cast with Giuliano Carella the idiomatic conductor'

The Sunday Times 'Ford reveals himself as a Rossinian without equal today; his burnished tone... is distinctive. He is especially moving in the final scene with Elizabeth Futral's radiant Desdemona.'

Bravissimo '... Nelly Miricioiu gives the captured Zoraide... an intimate reading with her dark, expressive soprano. She is at her best in the bel canto repertoire and she threads runs like shining pearls.'

Classics Today ‘... a wonderful voice. His agility is stunning, his innate musicality for those Rossinian rhythms, his ability to spin out long, legato lines and his fine mezza voce are equally impressive.’

BBC Music Magazine '... a treat for all lovers of bel canto in general and Rossini in particular... Miricioiu is at her daunting best' The Economist '... one of the year's best classical CDs.'

Selections from Le Comte Ory & Il viaggio a Reims William Matteuzzi has become a highly regarded teacher of the bel canto repertory and of Rossini in particular.

Financial Times 'This is a recording of a sensational Edinburgh concert performance. Independent on Sunday 'An admirably clear live recording... sees Futral at her smouldering best.'

Patric Schmid, Artistic Director, Opera Rara 1972- 2005 Elisabetta regina d'Inghilterra 'Once you hear this extraordinary work in its entirety you begin to understand how Rossini shook the cobwebs out of operatic style and convention. The text and flamboyant vocal writing spring from the page in a way that people in 1815 found fresh and exciting.'

Patric Schmid, Artistic Director, Opera Rara 1972- 2005 Elisabetta regina d'Inghilterra 'Once you hear this extraordinary work in its entirety you begin to understand how Rossini shook the cobwebs out of operatic style and convention. The text and flamboyant vocal writing spring from the page in a way that people in 1815 found fresh and exciting.'

The Sunday Times ‘Otello, Ricciardo e Zoraide etc. are rarely staged today because of the difficulty of finding tenors equipped to bring off the technical high-wire acts...'

The Sunday Times Zelmira 'The last of Rossini's 10 operas for Naples, written for his soon-to-be-wife Isabella Colbran, Zelmira was an instant international hit, appearing in Vienna almost immediately after the first Neapolitan performances and in London two years later. Rossini was at the zenith of his career: the London papers referred to him as "the first composer of the day".'

Opera Now Jennifer Larmore ‘Larmore’s bel canto adventures were mentored by Patric Schmid, founder of Opera Rara, who died in 2005. “Patric had a love of all things rare and wonderful. Even without Patric, the label remains committed heart and soul to full opera recordings. It has a great fan base and for the regular team of singers it can feel like the old contract system at 20th century Fox. We are all very loyal to each other.”’

Patric Schmid, Artistic Director, Opera Rara 1972- 2005 'Jennifer Larmore and Majella Cullagh bring their amazing voices together in one of those moments that recording producers pray for.'