Merilyn Horne, I Solisti Veneti, Claudio Scimone – Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri (1991)

Isabella in L'Italiana was one of Marilyn Horne's great roles, and this recording attests to it. The character is smart, spunky, and sarcastic, with a sure-of-herself twinkle in her eye and voice. Horne was so in control of her vast talent when this set was recorded that she seems to be born into the role. She tosses off the most difficult coloratura with ease. The tone is big and grand from high B to low B and back again, and the fun she's obviously having is infectious. Her supporting cast is almost on the same level: Sam Ramey is a fine Mustafa, expressing pomposity while flowing easily over Rossini's roulades, and Ernesto Palacio gets through the high-flying tenor role with greater grace than most. The other low voices are good too, and listen for Kathleen Battle in one of her early roles--before she became a legend in her own mind--she's a sheer delight. Claudio Scimone, somewhat of a bel canto specialist, leads with verve. Good fun. -- Robert Levine