Hotel (2001) Mike Figgis, Max Beesley, Saffron Burrows, Rhys Ifans

The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra reinvigorates two of Mozart’s best-known works in its brand-new recording Heavenly Mozart with conductor Rachael Beesley and fortepiano soloist Neal Peres Da Costa, releasing 10 November for digital download or streaming via ABC Classic, and on CD on the ARCO label.

Anna Bolena premiered in 1830 and was Donizetti’s first great success–and it remains one of his finest works. Aside from his usual endless fount of melodies, we find through-composed scenes wherein recitative seamlessly melds into arioso and into aria or ensemble. Anna manages to come across as a real character, as does the unfortunate Jane Seymour, who has the (bad) luck to be Henry VIII’s new love; and Henry’s music, too, is composed effectively for this royal villain. Less successfully portrayed but still with a couple of fine arias and some stunning ensemble music is Anna’s brother Percy. He’s an earthbound character but his music is wonderful and difficult (it was composed for the legendary Rubini).