GIACOMO PUCCINI Messa di Gloria. Scherzo for strings. Capriccio sinfonico. Crisantemi C. Castronovo, L. Tézier, Orfeó Català, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Gustavo Gimeno

Before turning his attention to opera, Puccini wrote a number of wonderful works that are perhaps less well known, even if they already put his full genius on show. This is particularly true of the astonishing Messa di Gloria, whose evocative power and shimmering colours well deserve the exceptional cast on this recording. Indeed, a special passion inspires the soloists and chorus gathered around Gustavo Gimeno and the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg.