It is difficult to dissociate the pure, warm tones of Renata Tebaldi's voice from her usual operatic repertoire - the heroines of the Italian lyric stage of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries which, thanks to her exceptional vocal and dramatic endowment, she interpreted so superbly.

That these unforgettable portrayals were not just the product of instinct, however, but are backed by a sound musical schooling and a deep and penetrating intelligence, is shown by these recitals recorded with pianist Giorgio Favaretto (1956 and 1957) and with conductor/pianist Richard Bonynge (1972) in which Tebaldi offers us a comprehensive survey of the art of song in a succession of vocal styles, from Arie Antiche (Scarlatti, Handel), music by Mozart and Rossini (including one of her specialities, 'La regatta Veneziana'), through to gems from 19th-century bel canto and verismo composers (Donizetti, Bellini, Mascagni) and into the twentieth century (Zandonai, Respighi, Martucci, Tosti).

‘“Lungi dal caro bene" … is a very lovely melody and beautifully sung […] The Rossini song “La promessa” is delightful, and I also much enjoyed Tebaldi’s moving singing of the two Bellini songs and of the lively Verdi number.’ - Gramophone, May 1957 [CD1 1–14]

‘[Tebaldi] makes a noble effect in the spacious, elegiac arias by Scarlatti. The Handel too is fine in a monumental way.’ - Gramophone, May 1958 [CD1: 15–22, CD2: 1–6]

‘recommended without reservation […] exemplary versions of bel canto songs’ - Gramophone, June 1997 CD1, CD2: 1–6]

Track Listing:
CD 1
1. ANONYMOUS: Leggiadri occhi belli
2. SCARLATTI: Le violette
3. HANDEL: Piangerò la sorte mia
4. SARTI: Lungi dal caro bene
5. ROSSINI: La promessa
6. BELLINI: Dolente imagine di Fille mia
7. BELLINI: Vanne, o rosa fortunata
8. VERDI: Stornello
9. MARTUCCI: La canzone dei Ricordi
10. La canzone dei Ricordi
11. La canzone dei Ricordi
12. TRADITIONAL: A la barcillunisa
13. MASETTI: Passo e non ti vedo
14. TURINA: Cantares
15. SCARLATTI: Chi vuole innamorarsi
16. SCARLATTI: Caldo sangue
17. HANDEL: Ah! spietato
18. ROSSINI: La regata Veneziana
19. La regata Veneziana
20. La regata Veneziana
21. MOZART: Ridente la calma
22. MOZART: Un moto di gioia 

CD 2
1. BELLINI: Vaga luna che inargenti
2. BELLINI: Per pietà, bell’idol mio
3. MASCAGNI: M’ama …non m’ama
4. RESPIGHI: Notte
5. TOSTI: ’A vuchella
6. DAVICO: O luna che fa lume
7. DONIZETTI: Me voglio fa ’na casa
8. MASCAGNI: La tua stella
9. TOSTI: Sogno
10. ROSSINI: L’invito
11. ZANDONAI: L’assiuolo
12. CIMARA: Stornello
13. PONCHIELLI: Noi leggevamo insieme
14. MASCAGNI: Serenata
15. PARISOTTI: Se tu m’ami
16. PARADISI: M’ha presa alla sua ragna
17. SCARLATTI: O cessate di piagarmi
18. GLUCK: O, del mio dolce ardor
19. RICCI: Il carrettiere del Vomero
20. MERCADANTE: La sposa del marinaro
21. BELLINI: Malinconia, ninfa gentile
22. PUCCINI: E l’uccellino