MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Complete Opera with libretto)

Joan Sutherland became an international star overnight when she appeared in Franco Zeffirelli's production of Lucia di Lammermoor at Covent Garden; and listening to this recording, made shortly after, it is easy to understand why.

Sutherland recorded her signature role again later in her career (with Pavarotti), but on this earlier set she combines her matchless coloratura technique with a youthful freshness of sound which is particularly appropriate for this, the greatest of bel canto heroines.

This recording is now available on Decca Legends with full libretto and English translation.

"In spite of all her later achievements, there remains something special about this early Lucia … Renato Cioni never did anything better than his youthful, ardent Edgar… Pritchard's reading has a stature which the work deserves …" Gramophone