Serafin, Tullio 1878-1968

Norma by Vincenzo Bellini ( Recording )
185 editions published between 1951 and 2009 in 7 languages and held by 920 libraries worldwide
Pollione, a Roman Proconsul, has two children by Norma, a Druid priestess, in the course of a long relationship. Norma isn't as young and beautiful as once she was. A temple virgin, Adalgisa, is young and beautiful. Pollione must have her. He has importuned the young virgin to run away with him to Rome, and she has finally agreed. When Norma learns of Pollione's faithlessness, she threatens to kill the two children. Before she can do this, the Druid temple priests apprehend Pollione as he attempts to abscond with their sacred virgin, Adalgisa. The priests build a pyre to burn Pollione to death. Norma relents. Instead of killing the children, she blames herself for her misery and climbs onto the pyre to die with Pollione.

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti ( Recording )
161 editions published between 1950 and 2010 in 5 languages and held by 734 libraries worldwide

La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini ( Recording )
79 editions published between 1959 and 2008 in 8 languages and held by 637 libraries worldwide

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini ( Recording )
100 editions published between 1950 and 2009 in 6 languages and held by 575 libraries worldwide

Aïda by Giuseppe Verdi ( Recording )
83 editions published between 1948 and 2007 in 5 languages and held by 503 libraries worldwide
Recorded at the Opera House, Rome, from 15th-24th July, 1946.

Otello by Giuseppe Verdi ( Recording )
56 editions published between 1960 and 2009 in 5 languages and held by 491 libraries worldwide
The story: Act I. The action unfolds on Cyprus, under Venetian rule in the 16th century. The scene is outside the castle, residence of Otello, governor of the island, facing the port. It is night. A furious storm churns the sea, and a crowd of Venetian citizens and soldiers helplessly watch while the ship of the Moor Otello desperately tries to make it into port. Only Iago, one of Otello's men, does not participate in the general apprehension for the safety of his leader: he hates Otello, because Otello has promoted Cassio captain instead of him; he meditates revenge. The crowd is jubilant as Otello finally lands safely and announces that the Turkish fleet has been defeated. When the Moor enters the castle, the fireworks start and all drink to his victory. In the midst of the rejoicing, Iago starts to weave the scheme that will lead to his commander's downfall: he treacherously insinuates to Roderigo, who had revealed to Iago his love for Otello's wife, Desdemona, that Captain Cassio also feels the same affection for the woman. Then Iago gets Cassio drunk, and incites a fight between the two men, but the dangerous duel that starts between them is stopped by Montano. However, the peacemaker is wounded by Cassio. Iago sounds the alarm, swelling the episode out of proportion until the crowd is in tumult. Called back by the shouts and noise, Otello, falsely informed by Iago, punishes Cassio and demotes him. This is a first victory for Iago, who exults.

I puritani by Vincenzo Bellini ( Recording )
57 editions published between 1953 and 2010 in 6 languages and held by 480 libraries worldwide

Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi ( Recording )
60 editions published between 1950 and 2009 in 6 languages and held by 465 libraries worldwide

Medea by Luigi Cherubini ( Recording )
57 editions published between 1958 and 1997 in 4 languages and held by 460 libraries worldwide

Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni ( Recording )
95 editions published between 1950 and 2010 in 7 languages and held by 403 libraries worldwide