In the heart of London, in the 1970s, a dream was born: Opera Rara. Led by Patric Schmid and Don White, this record label embarked on a daring mission: to rescue from oblivion the hidden gems of the 19th century operatic repertoire.

At the time, popular opera focused on a handful of established composers, such as Verdi, Puccini and Mozart. However, Schmid and White believed there was a treasure trove of masterpieces waiting to be discovered, works by talented composers such as Giacomo Meyerbeer, Gaetano Donizetti, Giovanni Pacini and Saverio Mercadante.

Opera Rara's first productions were live concerts, where arias from these rare operas were performed at iconic venues such as the Southbank Centre, St John's Smith Square and Wigmore Hall. The public response was enthusiastic, and it soon became clear that there was a great appetite for this forgotten repertoire.

In 1983, Opera Rara took a crucial step forward by recording its first complete opera: Manuel Garcia's "Le nozze di Figaro". This critically acclaimed recording marked the beginning of a prolific series of releases that would include works such as Donizetti's "Maria di Rohan", Vincenzo Bellini's "Emma di Normandia" and Francisco Asenjo Barbieri's "Zoraida di Granata".

Over time, Opera Rara became a world reference in the recovery of rare operas.
Its recordings, characterized by their high sound quality and exceptional performances, have won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award and the Diapason d'Or.But Opera Rara does not limit itself to recording operas.
It also organizes live performances, conferences and seminars, with the aim of bringing the world of opera to a wider audience.
In addition, it has created an educational program for young singers, offering them the opportunity to learn from the best professionals in the field.

In a world dominated by popular music and mass entertainment, Opera Rara stands as a beacon illuminating the rich history of opera. Its tireless work to preserve and disseminate this cultural heritage is a priceless gift to present and future generations.

Opera Rara's story is one of passion, dedication and love for music. It is a reminder that beauty and emotion can be found in the most unexpected corners, waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to seek them out.

It was originally created to bring to light rare or forgotten operas by Giacomo Meyerbeer and Donizetti as well as other "bel canto" composers such as Giovanni Pacini and Saverio Mercadante. Its activity has recently expanded to include original BBC recordings of works by Giuseppe Verdi.

Opera Rara music catalog

Opera Rara’s catalog is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of rare operatic gems. The label continues to explore and record previously neglected works, often offering audiences a first modern glimpse of operas that had faded into obscurity. These recordings preserve a critical aspect of operatic history, allowing for a broader understanding of the development of 19th-century opera, especially within the bel canto tradition.

This british record label and opera company that specializes in rediscovering and recording lesser-known or forgotten operatic works, particularly from the 19th century. The label has carved out a unique niche by bringing to life rare and obscure operas, primarily from the bel canto period, which spans the works of composers such as Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and Gioachino Rossini.

Key Features of Opera Rara's Catalog:

1. Rediscovered Masterpieces: Opera Rara is known for reviving forgotten operas that were overshadowed by more popular works of their time. The label has extensively recorded operas that had fallen out of the mainstream repertoire, often performing and recording them for the first time in modern history.

2. Focus on Bel Canto: Much of Opera Rara’s catalog centers around operas from the bel canto period (early 19th century), characterized by beautiful, flowing vocal lines and virtuosic singing. Composers like Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, and Saverio Mercadante dominate the catalog, although the label has also ventured into early Verdi and other 19th-century Italian and French composers.

3. High-Quality Productions: The recordings by Opera Rara are known for their high production standards, featuring world-class orchestras like the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and renowned conductors and singers. The company is committed to producing studio-quality recordings with critical editions of the scores.

Notable Works and Composers in Opera Rara’s Catalog:

1. Gaetano Donizetti: One of the most prominent composers featured in the Opera Rara catalog, Donizetti's lesser-known operas have been a key focus. Some notable recordings include:

   • Les Martyrs
   • Dom Sébastien
   • Il Paria
   • Belisario
   • L'Ange de Nisida
   • Le Duc d'Albe

2. Vincenzo Bellini:

   • Adelson e Salvini
   • Il Pirata

3. Gioachino Rossini:

   • Aureliano in Palmira
   • Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra
   • Ricciardo e Zoraide

4. Saverio Mercadante:

   • Virginia
   • Emma d’Antiochia

5. Jacques Fromental Halévy:

   • Clari

6. Daniel-François-Esprit Auber:

   • Le Domino Noir

7. Giuseppe Verdi (early operas):

   • Il Corsaro
   • Stiffelio

Special Projects:

In addition to focusing on forgotten operas, Opera Rara often collaborates with musicologists to restore original scores and librettos, sometimes working from incomplete manuscripts. The label also issues critical recordings of operatic arias and vocal collections, such as:

• Rossini Rediscovered (collections of Rossini's lesser-known works)
• Donizetti Rediscovered

Opera Rara artists

The most relevent artists Opera Rara recorded:

• Janet Price, Yvonne Kenny, Della Jones, Christian du Plessis,Renée Fleming, Jennifer Larmore, Nelly Miricioiu, Chris Merritt, Bruce Ford