Rossini - Tancredi / Kasarova, Mei, Vargas, Peeters, Cangemi, Paulsen, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, R. Abbado
Granted, the plot is silly and slow-moving, the characters are strictly cardboard, and the role of  the male romantic lead was written for a female mezzo-soprano. But the splendidly florid music, and  amazing opportunities for bel canto vocalism make up for it. This recording, using the critical edition, is  outstanding on the vocal front. The stunning Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova has a rich, full  tone and clean, accurate runs. She is well partnered by Eva Mei, whose bright but effective soprano carries  a good characterization of a dramatically rather thankless role. Tenor Ramon Vargas nails his coloratura  and possesses a ringing tone. They are well supported by the secondary principals, Muenchen  Rundfunkorchester and the men of the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, all superbly conducted by  Roberto Abbado. As an added bonus, the listener can choose between the original happy ending and the  dramatically more viable tragic conclusion with which Rossini later revised the opera.--Sarah Bryan  Miller