CD of the week: Danielle de Niese - Diva

So many singers and instrumentalists are described as 'one of the most exciting musicians of their generation', yet all too often they fail to live up to their billing. But in the case of soprano Danielle de Niese, the excitement really is justified.

Much-loved by Glyndebourne audiences for several years, Danielle first shot to wider prominence when, at the eleventh hour, she stood in at the Classical BRIT Awards in 2008. Her electrifying performance of Delibes' 'The Girls from Cadiz', which she'd pretty much spent the last 24 hours frantically learning from memory, wowed the Albert Hall - and the TV audience who would later watch it.

Fast forward two years, and Danielle now has a record deal with Decca - the latest fruit of which is this album, Diva. Opera arias, new arrangements of old favourites, and hitherto unknown repertoire are all brought together to create a delightful listen.

Watch a video of Danielle de Niese here...