Support Us

When you support Opera Rara, you join us on a journey of operatic discovery. Your generosity makes our mission possible, and your investment is key to bringing our ground-breaking work to a worldwide audience.

DonateMembership

Donizetti & Friends

Renowned for their vocal virtuosity, mezzo-soprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux and tenor Michael Spyres join forces with pianist Giulio Zappa for a concert featuring works by Donizetti and Berlioz.

TicketsConcerts

Donizetti Songs Vol.3 & Vol. 4

The prolific and versatile Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti wrote around 200 songs. Vols. 3 and 4 of this new collection of the complete solo songs of Donizetti features tenor Michael Spyres, mezzo-soprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux and pianists Carlo Rizzi and Giulio Zappa.

Pre-orderNew Release

2024/25 Salon Concerts

Opera Rara’s salon concert series features exciting emerging artists in intimate venues in London.

Learn MoreEvents

Offenbach’s La Princesse de Trébizonde

Winner of a 2024 OPER! Award, Offenbach’s delightful opera La Princesse de Trébizonde is packed with irresistible melodies finely crafted with delicate harmonies and inventive orchestration.

purchaseNew Release

Donizetti’s L'esule di Roma

Opera Rara has restored L’esule di Roma (1828), an opera which is considered a milestone in the Donizetti’s career. Vocal fireworks fly in this opera, punctuating remarkable ensembles and touching arias.

OrderNew Release

Support Us

When you support Opera Rara, you join us on a journey of operatic discovery. Your generosity makes our mission possible, and your investment is key to bringing our ground-breaking work to a worldwide audience.

DonateMembership

Donizetti & Friends

Renowned for their vocal virtuosity, mezzo-soprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux and tenor Michael Spyres join forces with pianist Giulio Zappa for a concert featuring works by Donizetti and Berlioz.

TicketsConcerts

Donizetti Songs Vol. 3 and Vol. 4

The prolific and versatile Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti wrote around 200 songs. Vols. 3 and 4 of this new collection of the complete solo songs of Donizetti features tenor Michael Spyres, mezzo-soprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux and pianists Carlo Rizzi and Giulio Zappa.

Pre-orderNew Release

2024/25 Salon Concert Series

Opera Rara’s salon concert series features exciting emerging artists in intimate venues in London.

TicketsEvents

Offenbach’s La Princesse de Trébizonde

Winner of a 2024 Oper! Award, Offenbach’s delightful opera La Princesse de Trébizonde is packed with irresistible melodies finely crafted with delicate harmonies and inventive orchestration.

PurchaseNew Release

Donizetti's L'esule di Roma

Opera Rara has restored L’esule di Roma (1828), an opera which is considered a milestone in the composer’s illustrious career. Vocal fireworks fly in this opera, punctuating remarkable ensembles and touching arias.

OrderNew Release

Featured News

Opera Now Cover Feature

The Spring 2025 issue of Opera Now is now available and we’re delighted that our Artist Ambassadors Michael Spyres and Ermonela Jaho are on the cover. Taking time out of recording sessions with our Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi, Michael and Ermonela sat down...

Donizetti Songs Volumes 3 and 4

We’re delighted to announce the forthcoming release of Donizetti Songs Volumes 3 and 4 on Friday 21 February. The prolific and versatile Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti was not only one of the central figures of Italian bel canto opera but also wrote around...

January 2025 Recording of the Month: Caterina Cornaro

Our first Recording of the Month of 2025 is Donizetti’s Caterina Cornaro featuring Carmen Giannattasio in the title role and Colin Lee as Gerardo. The cast is completed by Troy Cook, Vuyan Mlinde, Graeme Broadbent, Sophie Bevan and Loïc Félix with David Parry...

Donizetti Songs Volumes 1 and 2 Reviewed

We’re happy to share the news that the first two volumes of our Donizetti Song Project cycle have received reviews from critics across Europe including Spain, France, Germany and Poland, as well as of course in the UK including coverage on BBC Radio 3’s...

Anthony Freud OBE joins Opera Rara’s Board of Directors

We’re pleased to announce that Anthony Freud OBE has joined Opera Rara’s Board of Directors. Opera Rara is one of three UK charity boards he has recently joined, alongside Opera North and Music Preserved. “I have enjoyed Opera Rara’s outstanding artistic excellence...

December Recording of the Month: Belisario

Our final 2024 Recording of the Month is Donizetti’s Belisario featuring Nicola Alaimo in his Opera Rara debut as Belisario, Joyce El-Khoury in her recording debut as Antonina and Camilla Roberts as Irene. Generally acknowledged to be one of Donizetti’s finest...

Carlo Rizzi receives Order of the Star of Italy

On Friday 22 November, the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Inigo Lambertini officially awarded our Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi, the Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy, at a ceremony at the Italian Embassy in London. Rizzi received this award...

Champion emerging artists with Opera Rara’s 2024 Big Give

Opera Rara has a reputation for nurturing singers, providing them with opportunities for acclaimed debuts and international recognition through our studio recordings. From supporting artists on the edge of significant careers to training and developing rising talents,...

Celebrating 30 Years of Rosmonda d’Inghilterra

30 years ago our Honorary Artist Patron Renée Fleming made her first complete opera recording with us: Donizetti’s Rosmonda d’Inghilterra. Our November Recording of the Month features David Parry and Philharmonia Orchestra. Fleming is joined by a starry...

Live from Wigmore Hall: Rosa Feola & Carlo Rizzi

On Saturday 2 November at 1pm GMT/2pm CET, join us for our second live stream as part of our multi-year Donizetti Song Project from London’s Wigmore Hall. Our Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi and Italian soprano Rosa Feola perform a selection of rare Donizetti songs side...

Who we are

Opera Rara’s mission is to rediscover, restore, record and perform the lost operatic heritage of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

About Us

How you can help

When you support Opera Rara, you join us on a journey of operatic discovery.

Support Us

Featured Recordings

Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux – Pas d’autre amour que toi “Ah ! si tu voulais, toi que j’aime”
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux – Pas d’autre amour que toi “Ah ! si tu voulais, toi que j’aime”
CD & Download
From £0.99
Select options
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres
CD & Download
From £10.00
Pre-Order Now
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres – “Ah! si tu voulais, toi que j’aime”
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres – “Ah! si tu voulais, toi que j’aime”
CD & Download
From £0.99
Select options
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux
CD & Download
From £10.00
Pre-Order Now
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux – “Ti sento, sospiri”
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux – “Ti sento, sospiri”
CD & Download
From £0.99
Pre-Order Now
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres – Le Retour au désert “Léger coursier, plus léger que le daim”
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres – Le Retour au désert “Léger coursier, plus léger que le daim”
CD & Download
From £0.99
Pre-Order Now
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux – “Occhio nero incendiator”
Donizetti Songs Vol.4 Marie-Nicole Lemieux – “Occhio nero incendiator”
CD & Download
From £0.99
Select options
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres – Le Violon de Crémone “Cet instrument silencieux”
Donizetti Songs Vol.3 Michael Spyres – Le Violon de Crémone “Cet instrument silencieux”
CD & Download
From £0.99
Select options
Opera Rara Collection – 10 Boxsets
Opera Rara Collection – 10 Boxsets
CD & Download
From £250.00
Add to basket
Opera Rara Collection – 5 Boxsets
Opera Rara Collection – 5 Boxsets
CD & Download
From £100.00
Add to basket
Donizetti Songs Vol.1 Lawrence Brownlee
Donizetti Songs Vol.1 Lawrence Brownlee
CD & Download
From £10.00
Select options
Donizetti Songs Vol.2 Nicola Alaimo
Donizetti Songs Vol.2 Nicola Alaimo
CD & Download
From £10.00
Select options
Donizetti: L’esule di Roma
Donizetti: L’esule di Roma
CD & Download
From £28.99
Select options
Offenbach: La Princesse de Trébizonde
Offenbach: La Princesse de Trébizonde
CD & Download
From £28.99
Select options
Mercadante: Il proscritto
Mercadante: Il proscritto
CD & Download
From £16.99
Select options
Celebrating Offenbach (7-CD boxset)
Celebrating Offenbach (7-CD boxset)
CD & Download
From £32.00
Add to basket
Leoncavallo: Zingari
Leoncavallo: Zingari
CD & Download
From £10.00
Select options
Rossini in 1819 (8-CD boxset)
Rossini in 1819 (8-CD boxset)
CD & Download
From £32.00
Add to basket
Donizetti in the 1830s (7-CD boxset)
Donizetti in the 1830s (7-CD boxset)
CD & Download
From £32.00
Add to basket
Ermonela Jaho: Anima Rara
Ermonela Jaho: Anima Rara
CD & Download
From £12.00
Select options

Featured Video

The Making of Offenbach’s La Princesse de Trébizonde

In our The Making Of series, get behind-the-scenes insights into our restoration process and join us on a journey of operatic discovery.

A travelling circus, an innocent prince in love with a waxwork and a lottery ticket to win a magnificent castle… What could possibly go wrong? The delightful opera La Princesse de Trébizonde (1869) is packed with irresistible melodies finely crafted with delicate harmonies and inventive orchestration characteristic of Offenbach’s style.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Ask us a question 

Ask Opera Rara

Upcoming Events