The world's greatest recordings at an unbeatable price. Any music fan wanting to discover the full joy and pleasure of classical music can now look no further than Essential Classics: the best music at the best price.

89843 - Available on CD

Opera's greatest hits

Italian opera reached its peak in the 19th century. From the Mozart-like elegance of composers Bellini and Donizetti to the theatrical intensity of Verdi and Puccini, it was transformed from entertainment for the elite to explosive musical drama for the masses. Here are some of opera's "greatest hits" including selections from Madama Butterfly, Le Nozze di Figaro, Rigoletto, La bohème, Tosca, L'Elisir d'amore, Otello and more, performed by some of opera's greatest voices.

Essential Classics is the perfect starting point for any classical collection. Truly the finest recordings of the world's most beautiful music, Essential Classics offers all music fans the opportunity to enjoy classical music at an affordable price.

Essential Classics showcases premier performances. Each release features sterling sound quality, comprehensive liner notes, and a detailed description of the performance on the back of the CD, providing an easy-to-grasp explanation of the significance of those particular works.