Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana in Building a Library with Iain Burnside and Andrew McGregor

Available for 27 days

Andrew McGregor with the week's best new classical releases. 2.10pm Andrew is joined by guest reviewer Flora Willson, who picks four new releases that have caught her ear. 3pm Building a Library: Iain Burnside surveys some of the many recordings of Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, and makes a personal top recommendation. Widely considered to be one of the classic verismo operas, Cavalleria rusticana premiered in Rome in 1890 to rapturous applause. Taking place in a Sicilian village on Easter Sunday, the one-act opera is a passionate tale of love and betrayal. Top choice: Renata Scotto (soprano) Placido Domingo (tenor) Pablo Elvira (baritone) National Philharmonic Orchestra James Levine (conductor) RCA 74321395002 3.50pm Record of the Week: Andrew picks a new release that has most impressed him this week.