Opera Rara is a unique combination of opera company, recording label, and live operatic archaeologist. The company searches for neglected operatic masterpieces and restores them for contemporary audiences to enjoy. Working with the best singers, conductors, orchestras and musicologists, Opera Rara is leading the expansion of the repertoire while encouraging other opera companies to explore new and unknown rediscoveries.
Roger Parker, a renowned musicologist and Opera Rara’s repertoire consultant, joins Oliver to share the company’s history with a playlist of some of his favorite performances. Opera Rara makes its debut on the WFMT Opera Series with their production of Saverio Mercadante’s Il Proscritto on July 8.
Watch a sampling of some of the dazzling artists who have recorded with Opera Rara.
Playlist
Gaetano Donizetti: “Fin dove sorgono” from Il paria
Rene Barbera, tenor
Britten Sinfonia
Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Donizetti: “Prova mi dai, lo sento” from Ugo conte di Parigi
Della Jones, mezzo-soprano
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Alun Francis, conductor
Saverio Mercadante: “Figlia, ti scuoti” from Virginia Susan Patterson, soprano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Maurizio Benini, conductor
Donizetti: ‘Perche non ho del vento…Torna, torna or caro oggetto” from Rosmonda d’Inghilterra
Renée Fleming, soprano
Philharmonia Orchestra
David Parry, conductor
Hector Berlioz: “Les belles fleurs” from Benvenuto Cellini
Joyce El-Khoury, soprano
Hallé Orchestra
Carlo Rizzi, conductor
Giacomo Puccini: “Angiol di Dio” (La Preghiera) from Le Willis
Ermonela Jaho, soprano
Arsen Soghomonyan, tenor
Brian Mulligan, bass-baritone
Opera Rara Chorus
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Jacques Offenbach: “Je n’ai donc rien de plus” from Fantasio
Brenda Rae, soprano
Sarah Connolly, mezzo-soprano
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Sir Mark Elder, conductor
