Lucrezia Borgia

"There's only one competitive DVD and that's on Kultur, with a slightly over-the-hill Joan Sutherland (who still sings rings around anyone else) and Alfredo Kraus, marvelous as Gennaro. The world could use an up-to-date DVD of this opera; it's a pity this one fails".

"All three principals are firstrate. Carmela Remigio (Lucrezia) combines vocal sweetness with dramatic muscle. Marko Mimica is a casual psychopath in a leather coat and buzz cut. And the young Spanish tenor Xabier Anduaga (Gennaro) has an ardent, yearning voice with exquisite ringing tones - definitely a talent to look out for ... There is a good deal here to please the bel canto enthusiast".

"Whether you enjoy this latest issue ... depends crucially on whether you're a paid-up fan of Renée Fleming ... or whether like me you find her package of hostessy gesturing and skilfully manicured vocalisation hard to tolerate ... Elsewhere there are strengths ... Under Riccardo Frissa's expert baton the large ensemble is confident and tautly controlled. The male leads offer vivid characterisations ... But the make-or-break issue remains the prima donna".