Rossini: Semiramide

If your priority in a recording of Semiramide is to hear as many of the original notes as possible, this version is a better bet than the famed Sutherland-Horne set. But if it's to hear exciting singin-- at least from the womenfolk--this one suffers in comparison. Soprano Cheryl Studer as the murderous queen and Jennifer Larmore as her unwitting son sing well, and have a memorable blend in their duets, but they suffer in comparison with the classic. On the other hand, it's a shame that the performances of Frank Lopardo and Samuel Ramey couldn't be transplanted to the London recording; they're the standouts here. --Sarah Bryan Miller