This interesting new release comes to us from Victorian Opera Northwest whose Director, Raymond Walker together with conductor Richard Bonynge have been responsible for carrying out extensive research and compiling this superbly enjoyable repertoire of 19th Century English Opera Overtures, with valuable input from Valerie Langfield, Peter Jaggard, Nicholas Temperley and Michael Harris.

Australian conductor Richard Bonynge is not only well known through his marriage and long artistic partnership with the late soprano Joan Sutherland but is also acknowledged as a scholar of bel canto in 18th and 19th century opera and ballet music. He brings to this recording not only extensive knowledge and experience as a conductor but he also conducts the Victorian Opera Orchestra in these Overtures with gusto and great affection.

These mostly premiere recordings help us re-discover and truly enjoy these largely forgotten but magnificent Opera Overtures.