Be Seduced By Osiris Trio Arias

The Osiris Trio play with classical sensitivity in this collection of Romantic opera arias that will draw you in

Title: Melodies of Love and Death
Composer: Various
Repertoire: Famous opera arias by Bizet, Verdi, Puccini and Strauss arranged for piano trio by Bob Zimmerman

Artists: Osiris Trio
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Chamber
Label: Challenge Classics CC72373


The Music: If Romantic opera arias are your thing then you’re bound to find some of your favourites here, including the ‘Song to the Moon’, ‘Your Tiny Hand is Frozen’ and the ‘Flower Song’.


The Performances: Rossini once quipped that opera would be wonderful if it wasn’t for the singers and if you’re of the same persuasion then these expert piano trio realisations by Bob Zimmerman should
 do very nicely indeed. The Osiris Trio play with a classical sensitivity, successfully avoiding any Palm Court, Light music associations, and keep everything on an intimate chamber scale, ensuring that the listener is subtly drawn in rather than pinned to the back of his or her seat. Bizet’s ‘Flower Song’ and Donizetti’s ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ are particular highlights.


The Verdict: I must confess I had my doubts about this disc, but in the event its winning combination of skilled arrangements and sensitive playing won me over. Perhaps Rossini was right after all!

Want More? The Osiris Trio’s delightful selection of four Haydn trios is another winner (Q Disc Q 97052).