Most of the time I think those people are simply not interested in what they are doing. They often churn out big names without taking the pains of looking up what appeared on earlier issues (the duplication between Preiser and Pearl is a prime example). Most collectors, of course, are not very keen on buying a new issue that only has a few arias that are not to be found on other CDs; and, therefore, they keep their money in their pockets. Firms then complain that there are no customers for their magnificent CDs and don’t look for culprits within their own ranks. No firm that I know off takes the pain to ask a few collectors what is already re-issued on other labels and what is not.

The CD under review is another example. This is the fourth issue with some of Corelli’s Cetra recordings. I cannot believe lovers of this tenor’s youthful exciting and virile singing have waited for this issue to replace their worn LP’s. Moreover, Warner’s 2-CD set is almost complete and gives the dates of recording or the names of Corelli’s partners, neither deemed necessary in this careless CD. At the same time all the tenor’s many fans are still waiting for a firm that will at last re-issue his very first recordings: Granada, Cancione Moresca, Lolita and Pecché ; four items that never got on LP or CD. This is a superfluous recording therefore unless you cannot digest two CDs of young Corelli (as all other labels offer them).

Jan Neckers