The term "Italian Masterworks" could be confusing; after all, these include overtures, interludes and symphonic and choral excerpts from some of the major works of the transalpine opera scene given to us by Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Only two arias find their way into the album, taken from Boito's Mefistofele, performed here by Riccardo Zanellato. All the recordings are from a concert in 2017, so they are not, therefore, recycling older things put together without orchestral sound unity. Muti commits himself to making his recording a kind of great lyrical mass, alternating between the orchestra on its own, the choir and the two arias, beginning with the overture of Nabucco and ending with the almost sacred Salve Regina from Mefistofele - in this case with the Chicago Children's Choir which joins the Orchestra's symphonic chorus. Beautiful choice, beautiful sequence, beautiful assembly. © SM/Qobuz