The great soprano Ileana Cotrubas is featured on this disc singing arias from many of her signature roles. Always an effervescent and engaging performer, Cotrubas became known for her portrayals of lyric soprano roles such as Susanna, Pamina, Gilda, Liú, and Adina , all of which are represented here. She also tests more foreign waters in arias from Charpentier's 'Louise' and Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino,' with excellent results. For example, in contrast to the Gilda aria "Caro nome" from 'Rigoletto,' the Leonora aria "Pace, pace, mi Dio," displays the darker, more brooding side to Cotrubas that she did not often employ. Sitting lower in her vocal register, Cotrubas renders this wrenching aria with unwavering intensity that one wishes she had used more often. A wonderful highlight of the disc has Placido Domingo joining Cotrubas in selections from Donizetti's 'L'elisir d'amore," which is a sheer delight and familiar turf to Cotrubas. The well-known "O mio babbino caro," warmly sung by Cotrubas, ends this wonderful collection.
