Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, or The lass that loved a sailor by Arthur Sullivan ( Visual )
22 editions published between 1980 and 2002 in English and held by 1,514 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
"On the quarterdeck of H.M.S. Pinafore, Captain Corcoran 's ship and his crew await the coming of Sir Joseph Porter, who is going to inspect Corcoran's ship and marry his daughter, Josephine. But Josephine is secretly in love with Ralph Rackstraw, a member of the crew. they attempt to elope but are apprehended. Through a strange twist revealed by Buttercup, the bumboat woman, all ends happily after all"--Container

Otello by Giuseppe Verdi ( Recording )
41 editions published between 1969 and 2009 in 3 languages and held by 1,006 WorldCat member 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

Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi ( Recording )
26 editions published between 1972 and 2000 in 3 languages and held by 998 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A disfigured man befriends the children in a rural area, but the adults are mistrustful of the stranger

Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioacchino Rossini ( Recording )
43 editions published between 1971 and 2010 in 5 languages and held by 911 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
This 1950 production of Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia features Lily Pons as Rosina, Giuseppe di Stefano as Count Almaviva and Guiseppe Valdengo as Figaro

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti ( Recording )
70 editions published between 1970 and 2011 in 5 languages and held by 882 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Maria Callas, soprano ; Chor und Orchester der rai Roma ; Tullio Serafin, con

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Dmitriĭ Dmitrievich Shostakovich ( Recording )
13 editions published between 1979 and 2009 in 3 languages and held by 717 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
The tale of Katerina Ismailova, who is trapped in a loveless marriage. The action takes place in Mtsensk immediately before the Russian Revolution of 1917. In the tradition of "Anna Karenina" and "Madame Bovary" Katerina's fatalistic pusuit of passion has disasterous results

Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, or The slave of duty by Arthur Sullivan ( Visual )
8 editions published between 1982 and 2002 in English and held by 710 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Pirate apprentice Frederic becomes a pirate because of his sense of duty and he plans to go to the police and have his teachers arrested

Manon by Jules Massenet ( Recording )
19 editions published between 1970 and 2012 in French and No Linguistic content and held by 666 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Manon: Opéra comique en cinq actes. Livret: Henri Meilhac et Philippe Gille

L'elisir d'amore by Gaetano Donizetti ( Recording )
37 editions published between 1960 and 2006 in 5 languages and held by 649 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
This broadcast recording features superstar tenor Luciano Pavarotti in his prime in one of his most beloved roles--he stars as Nemorino, a simple, good-natured guy who loves the beautiful and wealthy Adina (Judith Blegen). Unfortunately she is a bit of a flirt and takes his affection for granted. But she doesn't reckon on the power of true love, or the surprising effects of Dr. Dulcamara's love elixir. Fernando Corena sings the wily quack, and Mario Sereni is the handsome, preening Sergeant Belcore

Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti ( Recording )
30 editions published between 1978 and 2010 in 3 languages and held by 643 WorldCat member libraries worldwide