ProStudioMasters.com

"The performances are crisp, fleet, and shapely, with excellent solo winds nicely balanced against well-coordinated strings. Conductor Christian Benda also takes care to handle the percussion with good taste and common sense. These performances have character and sparkle. They deserve your consideration." - ClassicsToday.com "This fourth volume intelligently mixes favorites of long-standing with appealing rarities ... there is some really great playing to be had here. The Prague Sinfonia Orchestra plays with tremendous character and clarity, making these works something worth listening to anew. The winds and percussion remain noteworthy, the smaller string section continues to be at once incisive and exciting ... Christian Benda has clearly put a lot of thought into these scores, and managed to maintain a level of quality that is impressive. The more famous overtures are played with a joyous relish, while the rarer works are given the same amount of care and attention to detail ... warmly played, lovingly conducted ... more music in better sound. Grab it now." - Classical.Net The enduring popularity of Rossini’s operas is a testament to their wit and inventiveness, every overture a superb portrait of each ensuing drama. Il barbiere di Siviglia remains the most popular of Rossini's comic operas, providing a witty and lively score to accompany a series of incidents worthy of any farce. Themes of flirtation and disguise can also be found in Il Turco in Italia, contrasting with the heroism and revenge of Armida and the cunning exploits of Le Comte Ory. This 2014 release is the fourth and final volume in a series of Rossini's overtures recorded by the Prague Sinfonia under conductor Christian Benda.