Donizetti: Don Pasquale - Bruscantini, Freni, Winbergh, Nucci, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (2 CDs)

Donizetti: Don Pasquale
Sesto Bruscantini (Pasquale), Mirella Freni (Norina), Gosta Winbergh (Ernesto), Leo Nucci (Malatesta)
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti

Riccardo Muti, proverbial for his precision, brilliance and integrity in Italian opera, here brings incisive wit and gentle sentiment to the farce of Don Pasquale. The title role is taken by Sesto Bruscantini, a master of the buffo style, who is joined by two of the greatest Italian singers of their time, Mirella Freni and Leo Nucci, and the eloquent Swedish tenor Gösta Winbergh.