The latest of Joyce DiDonato's themed discs is a mix of high-impact arias by Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti as well as the less familiar Mercadante, Carafa, Valentini and Pacini, several of them world premiere recordings which DiDonato and Riccardo Minasi have retrieved from the archives. They allow this adored US mezzo to display her dizzying technical virtuosity, her acting skills and her extravagant sense of drama. The Opéra de Lyon orchestra give characterful support. The release coincides with DiDonato's residency at London's Barbican and Wigmore Hall, part of a Euro-American tour. You may think bel canto recital discs are not your thing. Let Joyce DiDonato convince you otherwise. She did me.