Four of the best Rossini recordings

We recommend some of the finest examples of Rossini's music on disc

Freya Parr

Published: February 15, 2019 at 10:00 am

The Barber of Seville

Juan Diego Flórez, Joyce DiDonato et al; Royal Opera House/Antonio Pappano > Erato 649 5819 (DVD)

Joyce DiDonato leads a vintage cast in this supremely sung production.

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Le Comte Ory

Javier Camarena, Cecilia Bartoli et al; Zurich Opera/Muhai Tang > Decca 074 3467 (DVD)

Two marvellous Rossini interpreters join forces in this sophisticated staging.

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William Tell

Gabriel Bacquier, Montserrat Caballé et al; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Lamberto Gardelli > Warner Classics 640 7632

A classic account of Rossini’s final and most imposing opera, with a fine cast.

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Stabat Mater

Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato et al; Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia/Antonio Pappano > Warner Classics 640 5292

Outstanding singers bring emotional drama to Rossini’s moving choral work.

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Digital Editor and Staff Writer, BBC Music Magazine

Freya Parr is BBC Music Magazine's digital editor and staff writer, editing and writing on all styles of music across both the website and print magazine. She has also written for titles including the Guardian, Circus Journal, Frankie and Suitcase Magazine, and runs The Noiseletter, a fortnightly arts and culture publication. Freya's main areas of interest and research lie in 20th-century and contemporary music. She's a regular sea shanty singer, folk obsessive and occasional flautist, pianist, organist and musical theatre director.