Nicolai Gedda - Les Introuvables de Nicolai Gedda (4CD BoxSet) (1995)

Why this CD is still not being manufactured I do not know, but it is one of the finest sets of Nicolai Gedda's early (young) singing. All of the recordings come from the early years in his career and it is all flawless. Remember this is the singer who well into his 70's and 80's can still produce a gorgeous pure tone. This is all do to his excellent grasp of technique and always keeping his voice in top shape by judiciously choosing what was appropriate ( and not appropriate) for him to sing. There is a reason why his career lasted 40+ years it is obviously heard here as it is in all of the recordings that are available of him. He is arguably, alongside Fritz Wunderlich, one of the greatest tenor's of the second half of the twentieth century. Pavarotti even said '"There is no other tenor alive with a greater ease in the upper register than Gedda." The recordings on this CD set are a must-have for opera fans, voice students, and professionals. As does the other reviewer, I also highly recommend the collection of Bach Cantata's available in these recordings as well as the arias, art songs, and folk songs.