Mozart - La clemenza di Tito
Sir Charles Mackerras leads a fine performance of Mozart's last opera seria, a work that should be far better appreciated than it is. Full of dignity and poise, aria follows duet follows aria, fascinatingly scored, and exactly the correct length. The numbers are expressive and filled with the information we need to know these characters. Sesto, a travesty role, is taken by Magdalena Kozena, who follows in the footsteps of Teresa Berganza, Cecilia Bartoli, and Anne Sofie von Otter and proves their equal. Her gorgeous voice and technique shine through. Hillevi Martinpelto's Vitellia is handsomely sung; Christine Rice, sounding much like Kozena, is fine as his friend Annio; Lisa Milne's pretty, silvery tone is just right for Servilia. As Tito, Rainer Trost sings with dignity and accuracy in the character's noble and sometimes very florid music, and John Relyea lends his dark bass to the part of Publio. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is augmented by some period players on brass, and the effect is exciting. This may not be your number-one choice--Hogwood and Bartoli and Gardiner and von Otter  are better---but it's an excellent performance nonetheless.--Robert Levine