TRACKLISTING
1 Leggio già nel vostro cor (Bianca*, Elvira) Le due illustri rivali Mercadante
2 Ove son? che m’avvenne? … Sorgi, o padre (Bianca, Eloisa*) Bianca e Fernando Bellini
3 Cosa mi narri? … Sull’aria (Countess*, Susanna) Le nozze di Figaro Mozart
4 Dormono entrambi … Mira, o Norma … Sì, fino all’oreª (Norma*, Adalgisa, Clotilde°) Norma Bellini

RECORDING INFORMATION
On 27 February 2005 Mirella Freni celebrated her 70th birthday and 2005 also marks 50 years since her debut at Modena as Michaëla (Carmen). A much-loved and popular artist, Freni has recorded a substantial discography. In addition to the various complete operas she has recorded for Decca and other companies she is heard here in a recital of operatic duets with Renata Scotto which was made in July 1978.

Renata Scotto, born at Savona on 24 February 1934, sang some similar repertory to Mirella Freni in the earlier part of her career but in the early 1970s began to take on heavier roles such as Norma. She can be heard here with Mirella Freni in the great Act 2 duet. Also included here is another Bellini piece — and something of a rarity — a duet from Bianca e Fernando.

A Mozart duet from Le nozze di Figaro and another substantial rarity — from Mercadante’s Le due illustri rivali — opens this feast of duets for female voices on top form..