Don Pasquale (2CD)

• Cat No: METCD8009
• Type: Classical, Opera, Magdalen Recordings
• Format: CD

This recording of Don Pasquale, despite its age (1932) has long been regarded as the yardstick by which all subsequent versions of this sparkling opera have been measured.

Still in fine voice, Ernesto Badini (1876 - 1937) in the title role was undoubtedly the finest basso buffo of the day - he was London’s first Gianni Schicchi) and Tito Schipa was at the height of his career. Adelaide Saraceni and Afro Poli were also matchless in their roles.

Included are highlights in German with Rita Streich and Josef Greindl stylishly conducted by Fritz Lehmann, some tracks of which are on CD for the first time, and also two further bonuses: Streich singing Norina’s aria in Italian and a legendary version of Pronta io son with Lotte Schöne and Willi Domgraf-Fassbänder.