Believe in Love: Rare French and Italian Opera Arias

Hybrid/SACD - Playable on all compact disc players.

"There is much fine music to discover here and Melba's presentation is up to its usual high standards." (Tony Way, The Age)

"Whitehouse...makes a good case for these works ... Bonynge...there is no one on earth more qualified to lead such a project. The sound is excellent with good depth ... The packaged presentation of the Australian label is a model of its kind." Audiophile Audition (USA) (20 July 2007)

"Doubt that the dancing stars shine
doubt even that the sun is bright,
and that on the damp earth flowers grow;
doubt tears, doubt smiling,
and doubt that there are angels in paradise,
but believe in love.”
Franco Faccio (Amleto, 1865)

Melba Recordings proudly presents Believe in Love, a collection of rare French and Italian opera arias, recorded in stunning hi-definition surround sound. Featuring numerous world premiere recordings, with the combined talents of maestro Richard Bonynge, Orchestra Victoria and leading Opera Australia soprano Elizabeth Whitehouse, Believe in Love also features original cover and label artwork by the award-winning designer, Ken Cato.

Believe in Love was recorded in the superb and beautiful acoustic of the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University - one of the most prestigious venues of its size outside of the Melbourne central business district.

Reviews of Elizabeth Whitehouse in performance:
Der Rosenkavalier
"Whitehouse is a great singer-actress. Her dramatic range and vocal poise are to be treasured. ... She achieves a beautiful articulation of the German lines and a consistently elegant, warm tone ... Whenever she is on stage, she becomes the keystone of the musical structure.” (The Age)

Andrea Chenier
"He was partnered by a singer of equal stature, Elizabeth Whitehouse, who is fast becoming a leading soprano of her generation. As Maddalena she was both winsome and exciting, and in 'La mamma morta', she sounded uncannily like Renata Tebaldi in her prime.” (Opera News)