Manufacturer: Decca (Universal Classics)
Starring: Renee Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Ramon Vargas, Valery Gergiev, Elena Zaremba
Directed By: Robert Carsen

Manufacturer: Kultur Video
Starring: Jon English, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler
Directed By: Craig Schaefer, Peter Butler

Manufacturer: Avid

Manufacturer: Warner Music Entertainment
Starring: Richard Wagner, Daniel Barenboim, Bayreuther Festspiele, John Tomlinson, Anne Evans
Directed By: Harry Kupfer

Manufacturer: EMI Classics

Manufacturer: EMI
Starring: Ian Storey, Waltraud Meier, Michelle DeYoung, Gerd Grochowski, Matti Salminen
Directed By: Patrizia Carmine

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
Starring: Aprile Millo, Plácido Domingo, Dolora Zajick, Sherrill Milnes, Paata Burchuladze
Directed By: Brian Large

This Rigoletto has been around for so long it might be easy to take it for granted or skip it for a newer set. Don't! It features all three principals in superb voice, as well as pacing from Bonynge that is much heavier on drama than most of us expect from him. Sutherland may sound a bit mature (and mush-mouthed) for Gilda, but not only is she sympathetic, she sings gorgeously. And speaking ...

Manufacturer: Decca

Manufacturer: Opus Arte Media Productions
Starring: William Christie, Sarah Connolly, Angelika Kirchschlager, Danielle De Niese, Christophe Dumaux
Directed By: David McVicar

Andrea Bocelli is no opera singer, but he shows far more potential in this album than does another pop-vocalist tenor-wannabe, Michael Bolton. For one thing, he can shake off the crooner mannerisms and really sing when performing music that calls for it. At his best, he has a rich, dark timbre and an easy, unforced top. At other times, however, the tone turns dry and thin and the high notes are ...

Manufacturer: Universal Classics