Opera Rara presents a new Opera Rara Classics boxset with a limited edition of three sought-after opere serie by Gioachino Rossini, performed by international bel canto champions, including Gregory Kunde, Jennifer Larmore, Carmen Giannattasio and Ildebrando D'Arcangelo. Premiered only ten months apart in 1819, these three operas fell out of the repertoire soon after Rossini's death but have, over the last few decades, been rehabilitated in the operatic canon for the joy of Rossini lovers. Remastered to the best audio quality and featuring a specially commissioned essay by Rossini specialist Eleonora Di Cintio, these recordings, unavailable for many years, will delight opera collectors and Rossini fans.

Two CDs. This release is the 26th complete opera by Donizetti for Opera Rara. Sir Mark Elder conducts the work with a cast that includes Albina Shagimuratova, Ren� Barbera, and Misha Kiria.

Set near Edinburgh in the middle of the 17th century, Il proscritto (1842) weaves a tragic tale of lost love and political treachery during the rule of Oliver Cromwell. Available for the first time on record, Il proscritto marks Mercadante's return to the bel canto lyricism while retaining the harmonic and orchestra richness found in his "reform" operas. Leading Opera Rara's cast is Mexican tenor Ram�n Vargas as Giorgio Argyll, who sings opposite Peruvian tenor Iv�n Ay�n-Rivas, winner of 2021 Operalia competition, as his rival Arturo Murray. Their mutual love interest is Malvina Douglas sung by American mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts. Performing the opera's standout bravura aria, Elizabeth DeShong sings the role of Malvina's brother, Odoardo. The cast is completed by Elizabeth DeShong, Sally Matthews, Goderdzi Janelidze, Susana Gaspar, Niall Anderson and Alessandro Fisher.

Opera Rara's recording of Le Willis gives listeners the chance to hear Puccini's first opera as it has not been heard for more than 120 years. Making use of the new Ricordi edition, Sir Mark Elder conducts a star cast that brings the acclaimed soprano Ermonela Jaho back for her second recording with Opera Rara and introduces the thrilling Armenian tenor Arsen Soghomonyan. This recording includes the two celebrated arias that were added to the revised two-act version of Le Villi and showcases the young and prodigiously talented composer in his first exploration of operatic drama.

ECHO

To celebrate the 225th anniversary of Gaetano Donizetti's birth, Opera Rara has restored L'esule di Roma (1828), an opera which is considered a milestone in the composer's illustrious career. Set in Imperial Rome, L'esule di Roma is filled with political conspiracy, romantic intrigue and great sacrifice. Vocal fireworks flies in this opera, punctuating remarkable ensembles and touching arias. Carlo Rizzi, Opera Rara's Artistic Director, leads a star cast with soprano Albina Shagimuratova, The Times' "new queen of bel canto", Nicola Alaimo in one of Donizetti's finest roles for bass-baritone, and tenor Sergey Romanovsky in the title role.