Top Hopkins

Following acclaimed performances at the Edinburgh Festival and then in Melbourne, Sir Andrew Davis’s recording of Massenet’s opera Thaïs features an outstanding cast, and exceptional performances from his Toronto forces. Written shortly after the premiere of his masterpiece Werther, Thaïs was composed for the Californian soprano Sybil Sanderson who gave the premiere at the Paris Opéra In 1894. Sanderson's performance was a triumph, but the opera itself had a mixed reception. After Massenet revised it in 1898 it went on to worldwide success in the years leading up to World War I and has enjoyed continuous and growing success in our own time.

RPM was a hip and happening label formed in LA, and was one of the several subsidiary labels of Modern Records who were the forerunner of ryhthm and blues. RPM quickly became associated with its biggest name, BB King, and then followed with names such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Nix. The label was short-lived but this compilation catches RPM in its satisfying prime. This 2 CD set contains 40 original recordings from the RPM Records label, including titles from B.B. King, Lightnin' Hopkins, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson and many more. All tracks have been digitally remastered for optimum listening quality.

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