Lotte Rysanek will change the way you understand the title role of Madama Butterfly. Her silvery soprano shimmers in "Spira sul mare" (complete with a radiant D-flat) and soars with emotional power in the final moments. It's clear that she shares more than a few genes—and temperament—with her sister Leonie. Gertrude Jahn also deserves recognition for delivering one of the most sympathetic portrayals of Suzuki I have ever heard. This recording focuses exclusively on Butterfly's music (which, to be fair, is most of the opera), with only the music following the Flower Duet omitted.