Rossini 150th anniversary on Nov. 13 2018

Let me qualify what I am about to write with the following: With a background in Mozart, I like Rossini and coming into this set I had 2 operas, string sonatas, overtures, and a bunch of songs. Before I started this set, I listened to 2 new CDs of Rossini cantatas and 8 new CDs of Rossini piano music three times each.As I went through these 50 CDs, I listened to each full work/CD three times each before moving on to the next one, and it is all I listened to. The first 2/3 of the set are devoted to 17 operas. The remaining CDs cover many other works—such as string sonatas, soprano arias, tenor arias, songs, highlights from the 150th gala, etc.The vast majority of works are vocals and studio recordings. I am not a fan of live recordings but there are a few here including an opera.The lowlight was a live recording of the cats duet. The singers must have been quite humorous for the audience cackled throughout the performance. A live version like this one doesn’t belong on an audio only recording especially when this set already includes a studio version of it too.What would have been nice is Rossini’s work for horn or for Lord Byron.After about 40 of these CDs (reread my qualifier at the top of this review), I started to slow. But I picked up again. Well worth it for Rossini enthusiasts who like his vocals and/or do not possess much of his music. This set of over two full days of music is a great way to get fully engrossed in Rossini.

I received this collection of Rossini's works the other day and, so far, I am impressed with the selection and quality of the recordings. A number of them are from the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy - which always boasts excellent singing. The singers are not always well-known to American audiences, but they are specialists in Rossini. This is quite a collection to go through, so I may update this review as I proceed.

excellent so far. Not finished yet. Delivered early.

This is a wonderful bargain, even though the price seems to have doubled since I bought it in Feb 2020.It's taken me a long time to review this, because I wanted to work through all 50 CDs.This is a wonderfully comprehensive set. Some Rossini lovers may be put off by the duplication of works already in their own collections, but at (now) $3 per CD, this should not prove an obstacle. Alternative versions are to be welcomed and nothing on this set is shabby.Little point in my going through the list in detail. La Scala Di Seta is an opera with which I was unfamilar. A very early work of Rossini's and superbly performed on this set. The other highlight I should mention is my joy at listening to the lesser-known works of his. They are probably lesser-known for good reason, but still made for pleasurable hearing.One of my very best purchases.

I love Rossini compositions

super coffret.

A box of delights indeed. There are several operas and other works here that I would probably never have bought separately. Discovering them at such a bargain price is a continuing pleasure. "Ermione " alone is a real find. At the price there is no need to hesitate.

Eine hübsch aufgemachte Box, die doch überwiegend Uraltaufnahmen enthält, darunter wenig Referenzaufnahmen. Die beiden Sills-Aufnahmen möchte ich hervorheben, sowie die Guillaume Tell mit Frau Caballé. Sehr gut ist auch die Semiramide. Der Rest Mottenkiste.

tutto ok

Belle présentation qui a l'avantage de ne pas tenir trop de place pour un coffret de 50 cds. Les cds se trouvent collés les uns aux autres, ce qui ne facilite pas la prise en main. C'est vraiment un détail.Les interprétations sont évidemment excellentes, et chaque disque respire la joie de la musique de Rossini. Quelques raretés, sans voix, qui à mes yeux n'ont pas grande importance car le genre ne constitue pas le domaine de prédilection du compositeur.J'ai posé un "mais" dans mon titre car je trouve que tous les enregistrements n'ont pas la même qualité technique; bien sûr, au regard des dates d'enregistrement, c'est un peu normal. Mais nous avons connu mieux. On peut toujours s'amuser à écouter les ouvertures enregistrées dans la collection Living Voice sous la baguette de F.Reiner et là, la différence est cruelle techniquement parlant.Passons sur ces points car il n'en reste pas moins que l'écoute du coffret procure beaucoup d'émotions, surtout pour les passionnés de Rossini.Acheté en pré-commande, sans aucun avis, la passion guidant le choix, je ne regrette absolument pas cette belle acquisition.