Opera Rara

Opera Rara is an esteemed organization dedicated to the restoration, recording, performance, and promotion of the forgotten operatic heritage from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1970, Opera Rara has established itself as a hybrid entity that functions as an opera company, a recording label, and a live operatic archaeologist. The organization's primary objective is to unearth neglected operatic masterpieces and revitalize them for the enjoyment of contemporary audiences. With a commitment to excellence, Opera Rara collaborates with top-tier singers, conductors, orchestras, and musicologists to lead the expansion of the operatic repertoire. This commitment has positioned Opera Rara at the forefront of the opera world, fostering a renaissance of interest in rare and unknown works and inspiring other opera companies to engage in similar rediscoveries. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020, Opera Rara has been recognized for its artistic achievements with numerous accolades. In the past decade, the organization has received several prestigious awards, including the International Opera Awards Best Opera Recording for Mercadante's "Il proscritto" in 2023, Rossini's "Semiramide" in 2019, Donizetti's "Les Martyrs" in 2016, and Offenbach's "Fantasio" in 2015. Additionally, Opera Rara has been honored with the International Classical Music Award for "Semiramide" Best Opera in 2019 and for Ermonela Jaho's debut recital album "Anima Rara" Best Vocal Music Recording in 2021. The Opus Klassik Best Recording for "Semiramide" in 2019 and the OPER Awards Best Recording for Donizetti's "L’Ange de Nisida" in 2019 and Offenbach's "La Princesse de Trébizonde" in 2024 further underscore the company's reputation for excellence. Opera Rara's extensive catalogue boasts over 100 titles, including more than 60 complete opera recordings. Through its meticulous work, the organization has significantly contributed to the revaluation of the reputations of composers such as Donizetti, Pacini, Offenbach, and Mercadante, altering the international perception of these musical figures. A recent highlight in Opera Rara's history is the premiere recording of Mercadante's opera "Il proscritto," which was released worldwide in April 2023 after a two-year restoration process from the original manuscript. The artistic leadership of Carlo Rizzi, who was appointed as the Artistic Director in 2019, has been instrumental in this project. Rizzi has also recorded the original 1912 version of Leoncavallo's "Zingari" and has been a champion for the discovery and restoration of "Il proscritto." Opera Rara's commitment to artistic excellence is further exemplified by its association with internationally renowned artists. Soprano Renée Fleming, who made her complete opera recording debut with Opera Rara in 1994 in Donizetti's "Rosmonda d’Inghilterra," serves as the Honorary Artist Patron. In 2022, in celebration of Donizetti's 225th birthday, the organization announced Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres as Artist Ambassadors, acknowledging their long-standing and acclaimed collaboration with the company. Opera Rara continues to be a beacon for the operatic arts, ensuring that the rich legacy of historical operatic works is preserved and cherished by future generations.