Gramophone

'The original Emma was Giuditta Pasta, a soprano of extraordinary dramatic intensity often invoked in reputation for comparison with Maria Callas. It says much for Nelly Miricioiu that she should be Opera Rara's obvious choice for the role. She is also an artist whose qualifications could hardly be bettered internationally... Bruce Ford is likewise natural casting for Ruggiero, the fullness of his middle notes paying off nicely against the more slender brightness of the very able second tenor, Colin Lee... David Parry conducts, and the London Philharmonic plays, in a way which, without distracting from the vocal line, recommends Mercadante's scoring as a constant source of interest and pleasure.'

Opera Today

Thanks to Opera Rara for bringing Emma back to life. The music is packed with good, solid, sing-along tunes as effective as many of early Verdi, with many unusual touches of orchestration. Rhythmic devices are always ear-catching and pull the listener (and the singer) excitedly along. The melodramatic excesses of the plot can easily be ignored in favor of the music.

Conductor Parry seems to have an almost uncanny insight into music of the bel canto school, particularly in the selection of tempos. He is rhythmically propulsive, always supportive of the singers, but not subject to their whims. Indeed, this is (as is so often true of Parry-led operas) a true ensemble effort. Miricioiu is her own spectacular, gutsy self imperious, confident, supremely musical, emotionally restrained, no Italianate super-diva stunts, trusting in the music to deliver its own emotional impression. One has come to expect a similar performance from Ford, and he delivers it handsomely.