Suor Angelica (complete opera recorded in 1957)

Victoria de los Angeles's performance as Sister Angelica demands superlatives: 'it is in every way perfect, beautifully sung, infinitely touching, and free from the slightest suggestion of theatricality', wrote The Gramophone when this recording was originally released in 1958. Indeed, the review praised the entire production: 'it is evident that Tullio Serafin loves this opera: he draws very beautiful playing from the orchestra, secures just the right tempi, and at once establishes the right mood in every scene. The recording allows us to hear all the details of the wonderful orchestral part'. This is by all measures a classic.