For the first time at mid-price, Decca re-releases this definitive recording of Stravinsky's neo-classical opera of sin and redemption featuring Philip Langridge as Tom Rakewell, Samuel Ramey as the evil Nick Shadow and Astrid Varnay as Mother Goose.

"... the London Sinfonietta match him [Chailly] in both precision and panache. The recording gives full and appropriate prominence to the glorious sound of the Sinfonietta's woodwind section, but all departments of the ensemble are admirable...in its balance of brilliance and sensitivity, this is playing of the first class...Samuel Ramey's distinctive, attractive timbre does make an immediate and satisfying impression: he is the wily, oily demon to the life, and in the later acts he effects a transformation from suavity to menace without sacrificing any purely musical qualities en route ... Cathryn Pope makes a vividly vulnerable Anne...youthfulness and lyricism are also the hallmarks of Philip Langridge's performance." Gramophone February 1985

The supreme Decca team of Dame Joan Sutherland & Luciano Pavarotti in Verdi's swashbuckling tale of the love between a Spanish bandit and the noblewoman he loves. This was the final recording that this pair ever made and now it is made available again at mid-price.  

Ernani features high drama and glorious singing from these two operatic superstars and a world class supporting cast.

"... Bonynge brings more relish to the ryhthms, and (helped by the brighter recording) is better at exposing the colourfulness of orchestration...Sutherland's well-observed and skilfully executed staccatos in her big solo... Nucci's legato, Pavarotti's thrilling account of the Ivanov cabaletta... the orchestra are fine, the chorus excellent... there is much to like here." Gramophone April 1998

This recording features Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in one of her most acclaimed stage roles. The seasoned cast is backed by the forces of La Scala Milan under Verdi specialist Sir Georg Solti.

One of Verdis' most beautiful and passionate operas, Simon Boccanegra is the story of the 14th Century Doge of Genoa, his heartbreaking discovery of the daughter he lost in infancy and his death by poison at the hands of the jealous Paulo.

"I certainly enjoyed my first hearing of the new performance ... the close and true Decca recording seems to suit this dark and taut work very well ... Paolo Coni makes a dark-toned and threatening Paolo (his voice is so firm and pleasing I would like to hear what he would have made of the title part) ... Aragall has done nothing better on record than this bitingly clear, really Italianate Gabriele: he catches very well the impetuous, headstrong nature of the young nobleman, and is also able to fine away his big voice to the needs of his love duet with Amelia ... Aragall's rightly fierce and heroic singing is very much of an asset on the new Decca set". Gramophone December 1989

Sir John Eliot Gardiner's award winning Philips recording of Rossini's sparkling French comedy, with outstanding performances from John Aler, Diana Montague and the amazing Sumi Jo as the cause of all the trouble! This delicious recording has now been reissued at mid-price and is a wonderful addition to any collection.

This recording of Tchaikovsky's most popular opera is a wonderful collaboration between Russian singers and international performers. Such fine singers as Nuccia Focile, Neil Shicoff and Sarah Walker are vivid in their respective roles, but, crowning the whole performance, is the Eugene Onegin of Dmitri Hvorostovsky. He was surely born to play this part and, recorded in his early prime, sounds truly suberb.

This is the first time this recording has been available at mid-price.

A classic recording - classically slow even! - of Wagner's masterpiece in a timeless interpretation by Bernstein capturing all the fervour and orgasmic passion of this masterpiece. The cast features a notable Australian - Yvonne Minton in the role of Brangäne.