Album: Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos – Sinopoli, (Brilliant)

Rereleased minus the libretto and translation, Giuseppe Sinopoli's nine-year-old recording with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden remains one of the most luxurious Ariadnes available.

Leading the cast is Deborah Voigt's Prima Donna/Ariadne, a performance that shows her voice at its pre-op finest. Anne Sofie von Otter's ardent Composer, Stephan Genz's fleet-footed Harlekin and Natalie Dessay's flirtatious Zerbinetta offset Ben Heppner's heroic Bacchus. The orchestral solos are also superb.

Pick of the album: Natalie Dessay's sparkling 'Grossmächtige Prinzessin'

Click here to purchase this album