English soprano Ruby Hughes is the latest to record an album of works written for a past singer, in this case Giulia Frasi. Much of what’s here is tastefully done, with careful attention to the score and a sense of overall polish. But there’s much room for Hughes to extend herself interpretatively, with many selections given the right emotional tenor but with little imagination. The owner of a bright, mellow instrument without much tonal variation, her soprano can make for monotonous listening, but it’s ideal for those arias that require simple, unaffected singing.

Highlights include Why is Death for Ever Late from Arne’s Artaxerxes, where Hughes’ excellent diction, firm sense of line and attractive timbre come into their own. Equally effective is the opening track, Crystal Streams in Murmurs Flowing, which shows off a solid middle voice, surprising for a soprano...