How Rossini would have fallen for the Latvian Elina Garanca! Her voice, with its creamy mezzo middle and purposeful drop into the chest register suggests a perfect Rosina; part passionate young woman but mostly knowing minx. …no recent artist, including the magnificent Marilyn Horne, has recorded a more affecting rendition of Tancredi's recitative and cavatina, 'O patria... Di tanti paliti': every word articulated, every musical phrase properly shaped and a seemingly effortless legato. This is a deeply satisfying CD from a great artist in the making.

A refreshingly unhackneyed selection of bel canto arises from a star mezzo. The gentle songs from Adelson e Salvini and Dom Sébastien make a nice contrast with the fireworks of "Di tanti palpiti" from Tancredi. Roberto Abbado and the Bologna orchestra provide the always sympathetic accompaniment... What of that long bel canto line? It is never allowed to overwhelm the dramatic situation of each scene but Garanca seems to find no difficulty in any of this music.

Unjustly denied first prize at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2001, the glamorous Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca has gone on to prove the judges wrong by carving a front-ranking international career. This well-programmed recital of less familiar material from operas by Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini shows off her superb technique, with its fluent coloratura and beautiful upper register. The melancholy Romanza from Bellini's early Adelson e Salvini and the lilting "Di tanti palpiti" from Rossini's Tancredi both show her at her impressive best.