Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - this selection has the approval of Dame Elisabeth herself. An excelent selection, showing Schwarzkopf's skills as bothe Lieder and opera singer.

Fritz Wunderlich - THis box set is fantastic value but look out also his final recital from Edinburgh, also on DG.

Victoria De Los Angeles - An excellent set. featuring the singer in a variety of song. However no opera included here. You also need the Beecham La Boheme and her wonderful Manon at the very least.

Tito Gobbi - A splendid collection from EMI, but you should also look out his Scarpia with Callas's Tosca and his Rogoletto also with Callas.

Maggie Teyte - This wonderful British singer, so marvellous in French music. Also look out the EMI recordings of French songs, some of which are now available on Naxos.

Jon Vickers - In the absence of his Tristan with Karajan, this set is a pretty good introduction to this great if idiosyncratic tenor.

Renee Fleming - So good in such a cross section of music, for my money it is Strauss that shows Fleming's creamy voice to best advantage. This is a glorious disc.

Monserrat Caballe - There are lots of Caballe compilations but this includes some of the bel canto arias she recorded for RCA early in her career - a must.

Luciano Pavarotti - This early recital still stands as one of the best examples of Pavarotti at his finest.

Renata Tebaldi - A Wonderful Commemorative issue from Decca.