Elisabeth Rethberg (1894–1976) was one of the most important lyric-dramatic sopranos of the century. Noted especially for her interpretations of Mozart, Verdi and Wagner, she has been described by John Steane as ‘the singer’s singer, setting a standard of pure vocal mastery to which all but a few can only approximate’. Following seven seasons with the Dresden Court Opera, Rethberg joined New York Metropolitan Opera in 1922, where she remained until her retirement from the stage in 1942. This 2-CD set features her complete HMV, Parlophone and Victor recordings made between 1927–34. In addition to arias from operas by Mozart, Bizet, Gounod, Verdi (including the Nile scene from Aida with Giacomo Lauri-Volpi as Radames), Puccini and Wagner, this set includes her complete Lieder recordings for the Hugo Wolf Society, and three previously unpublished items made for the Bell Laboratories in 1934.