Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor
This was Joan Sutherland's second recording ofLucia, made with an all-star cast in prime vocal condition, and it is a must for those who believe that bel canto opera should live up to its descriptive title: "beautiful singing." In the 10 years since her firstLuciarecording, she had settled more comfortably into the character and become even more expert in the music. Her costars are among the greatest singers of our time, a point that is particularly important in the ensemble singing. Maria Callas is more dramatic, and herLuciais a must for Callas fans, but this set is a joyful celebration of the glory of the human voice. In purely musical terms it is the best-sungLuciaon record.--Joe McLellan