Album: Gheorghiu, Kaufmann, Pappano, Puccini: Madama Butterfly (EMI Classics)

Despite its origins in churlish and charmless occidental responses to the opening up of Japan to American trade and influence, Madama Butterfly contains many of Puccini's most beautiful melodies and arias, enchantingly rendered here by the Romanian diva Angela Gheorghiu.

Continuing the partnership with Gheorgiu that has already resulted in triumphant productions of La Traviata and La Rondine, Jonas Kaufmann's performance establishes him as one of the few young tenors capable of filling Pavarotti's shoes.

Pick of the album:'Un bel di vedremo', 'Va, gioca, gioca!', 'Viene la sera', 'Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino'