Every voice studio and serious singer will need these new volumes, which are a happy complement to the G. Schirmer Opera Anthology. This impressive series takes a serious look at opera in Italian, resulting in the largest anthologies of arias ever published devoted to the topic. Arias include the most famous excerpts along with rare beauties. Each aria has been carefully researched and newly engraved. Plot notes and translations are included for all selections. Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi and Puccini are liberally represented with essential as well as interesting arias. Also included are wonderful Baroque arias by Monteverdi, Cavalli, Handel, Vivaldi and Pergolesi. Beyond Mozart, classical era Italian arias by Gluck, Cimarosa and Paisiello may be found in the compilations. Other 19th and 20th century composers represented are Boito, Catalani, Cilea, Giordano, Leoncavallo, Mascagni, Montemezzi, Ponchielli, Respighi and Wolf-Ferrari. Many of the arias have never before appeared in collections. There are 36-41 arias per volume.