Lots which are anticipated to get opera aficionados’ hearts racing include LPs and posters signed by Dame Joan Sutherland, rare Maria Callas recordings and a selection of 19th-century opera posters hand-picked from Opera Rara’s extraordinary archive. Opera Rara’s Music Director Sir Mark Elder, together with stars from recent recordings including Spyres, El-Khoury and Ermonela Jaho have also offered their time to the highest bidder. Other prizes which will attract opera collectors’ attentions include prints of 19th-century opera sensations Pauline Viardot and the Grisi sisters as well as signed photographs by singers including Bruce Ford and Valerie Masterson.

The brain-child of Patric Schmid and Don White - who together collected the items on auction - Opera Rara has been in the business of bringing back forgotten operatic repertoire since its conception in the early 1970’s, with the operas of the Italian bel canto repertory being a particular focus. Future CD releases include Bellini’s first opera Adelson e Salvini in February conducted by Daniele Rustioni; two discs of bel canto arias with Michael Spyres and Joyce El-Khoury in July; and Rossini’s Semiramide in September featuring Sir Mark Elder conducting the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova in the title role.

Click here for full information about the online auction and the gala dinner on 7 February.

For further information: moe@macbethmediarelations.co.uk