Liane Synek may well be one of the most underappreciated dramatic sopranos of her generation. Despite frequent appearances at Bayreuth, she rarely ventured beyond supporting roles like Valkyries and Norns. Yet her voice combined the cutting brilliance of Nilsson with a warmth that lent itself equally to Verdi and Wagner. Whether portraying Italian heroines such as Amelia in Un ballo in maschera and Abigaille in Nabucco, or German powerhouses like Elektra and Brünnhilde, Synek’s performances are marked by a rare fusion of vocal steel and emotional depth.

This compilation offers a broad sampling of her versatility, with arias and scenes from Nabucco, Don Carlo, Un ballo in maschera, Turandot, Elektra, Die Frau ohne Schatten, Die Walküre, and Tristan und Isolde. For those unfamiliar with this remarkable artist, this collection offers a revelatory introduction.