Recordings

Borodina’s sumptuous and stylish Dalila crowns this strong cast; she gives a definitive performance in the composer’s single successful opera. The young Russian mezzo-soprano easily excels in the dramatic climaxes and revels in the lush quiet passages; one cannot imagine a more beauteous “Printemps qui commence.” Cura, who sang Pollione with L.A. Opera two years ago, does not equal Borodina’s artistic consistency but sings handsomely and strains rarely. The rest of the cast, including Lafont and Egils Silins, sings splendidly, especially Robert Lloyd as the Old Hebrew. Davis conducts a rip-roaring yet sensitive performance; the London Symphony plays with wonderful contrasts and controlled lyricism.

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