Rossini: Semiramide

Joan Sutherland - Semiramide

When I think of Rossini's grand opera Semiramide, I cannot help but think of the partnership of Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne and Richard Bonynge.  They pioneered a renewed interest in the mostly forgotten masterpieces of Rossini's grand operas, of which there were many.

Semiramide had its first performance at Teatro La Fenice, Venice on this day back in 1823.  Still performed today, it's a star vehicle for both soprano and mezzo, containing  many dazzling arias and duets.  The sample below is the great duet "Serbami ognor si fido", recorded by the above trio back in 1963.  The comments say it all...'ït doesn't get any better than this' and then 'no, it really doesn't' and the thing is, they are completely right.