THALBERG: Fantasies on Operas by Verdi, Rossini and Bellini
Piano fantasies on operatic themes were popular in the 19th century,  when hearing an opera wasn't a simple matter of turning on the radio. Liszt  wrote many of them, and so did Sigismund Thalberg (1812-71), who was once  considered a serious rival to Liszt. You can understand this after hearing  Thalberg's imaginative piano writing, which weaves these themes into very  pleasing and exciting pastiches. Francesco Nicolosi, who is apparently a  Thalberg specialist, has actually recorded four CDs of these Fantasies. This is  the only one I've heard, and it's a kick, played with a mellow brilliance that  suits the music very well.--Leslie Gerber