This double CD presents recordings from the decade 1910 to 1920. The oldest singer represented is the great Australian diva Melba, heard in one of her loveliest recordings - an excerpt from "Louise" by Charpentier. Amongst the youngest is Tito Schipa, aged 24, in an aria from "Lucia di Lammermoor", and Rosa Ponselle as Tosca at the age of 21. Listening to these ancient recordings is a relatively comfortable experience here, but I would caution against devoting a full two and a half hours to listening to all of them in one sitting.

J B Steane, the eminent authority on singers of the past on record, provides a superb essay. Full details of the recordings are provided, together with a synopsis of each item. Having provided so much to collectors of historic singers, Nimbus Records is now to close its operations. Collectors should therefore be aware that CDs like this and its companion volumes will soon be unprocurable.