Also available on Blu-ray

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the premiere of the Rossini rarity, the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro staged Ricciardo e Zoraide with an all-star cast. Juan Diego Flórez makes his debut as the crusader Ricciardo, giving a “masterclass in bel canto” (Bachtrack), his high notes are “... still thrilling with their laser-like precision” (Financial Times). The South African soprano Pretty Yende – “radiant and richly expressive” (Financial Times) as Zoraide – proves that she is “a virtuosa in Rossini singing” (Neue Musikzeitung). On the 150th anniversary of the composer’s death and 200 years after its premiere, Ricciardo e Zoraide rings out with an artistic quality that is second to none, thanks to the skills of an “absolute Champions League ensemble” (Online Merker). Due to the “attentive conducting of Giacomo Sagrapanti, practically nothing stands in the way of enjoying the beauty of this rarely performed score to the fullest” (Online Merker). The result is an incredible orchestral performance.

This is a re-release of an SWRmusic bestseller. The recording was the very first one of the original version of Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle, realized using the critical new edition based on Rossini’s autograph score published in 1991 by Carus. Gioachino Rossini's Petite messe solennelle (Little solemn mass) was written in 1863, possibly at the request of Count Alexis Pillet-Will for his wife Louise to whom it is dedicated. The composer, who had retired from composing operas more than 30 years before, described it as "the last of my péchés de vieillesse" (sins of old age). The extended work is a missa solemnis, but Rossini labeled it, not without irony, petite (little). He scored it originally for twelve singers, four of them soloists, two pianos and harmonium. The mass was first performed on 14 March 1864 at the couple's new home in Paris. Rossini later produced an orchestral version, including an additional movement, a setting of the hymn "O salutaris hostia" as a soprano aria. This version of the mass was not performed during his lifetime because he could not obtain permission to perform it with female singers in a church. It was first performed three months after his death, at the Salle Ventadour in Paris by the company of the Théâtre-Italien on 24 February 1869.

Classical Music

Recorded in: Goldsmith's College, New Cross, London 9-14 August 1994 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Ralph Couzens Richard Smoker (Assistant)

Next to Stabat Mater, the Petite Messe solennelle is Rossini's second extensive sacred composition and without a doubt a highlight of his late works. On this recording with Tonu Kaljuste and the Kirchheimer Vokal-Consort, one can hear the original version of the mass, in which the orchestra comprises a piano and a harmonium.

On the occasion of it's 40th anniversary Carus has initiated a new series Carus Classics, featuring ten outstanding CD productions from the past library of recordings. This exclusive collection, designed by Friedrich Forssman and Cornelia Feyll, is presented in high-quality DigiPacs and each CD includes an extensive booklet. '... exemplary recording.' (New Classics, September 2005)

ROSSINI GALA

ARSO Ensemble is made up of the leaders and soloists of the Podkarpacka Philharmonic Orchestra - Robert Nasciszewski and Orest Telwach (violin), Anna Nasciszewska (cello) and Slawomir Ujek (double-bass). The ensemble plays Rossini's lesser-known Six sonatas a quarttro, penned by Rossini in 1804 at the age of 12.

This release features a fine selection of repertoire by Rossini, including two world premiere recordings. The album is bookended by Rossini's La regatta veneziana and his Soirees musicales, both of which are sometimes referred to as his "Venetian Regatta." Soprano Valentina Varriale is an outstanding vocalist with a generous voice and emotional timbre. She sings with the same attention to detail the most beautiful pages of the operatic lyric repertoire and the masterpieces of the baroque and classical periods. Mezzosoprano Monica Carletti first studied violin before graduating with an honors degree in voice from the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome. She regularly interprets the great Italian, German, French, and Polish repertoire in her recitals. Born in Catania, Giulio Pelligra debuted in 2006 at the National Theatre in Malta. His highly-praised toles include Rodolfo in La Boheme and Lord Ricardo Percy in Donizetti's Anna Bolena. Bass vocalist Salvatore Grigoli graduated from Conservatorio Bellini in Palermo. His numerous awards include "Concorso Nazionale Agimus," and Best Bellini voice at "Consorso citta di Alcamo." These brilliant vocalists are joined by pianist Marco Sollini, one of the most sought-after accompanists in Italy.

Classical Music

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Classical Music

Classical Music

Opera Explained: ROSSINI - Tancredi (Smillie)

The second and final release in this series of Rossini's complete overtures. Works include L'Italiana in Algeri, La Cenerentola, among others. The Prague Sinfonia Orchestra is led by conductor Christian Benda.