This live recording of a solo recital given by Lise Davidsen at New York’s Metropolitan Opera is a powerful snapshot of a soprano at the peak of her powers. Partnered by pianist James Bailieu, Davidsen sings as if she knows that this recording – much like Joan Sutherland’s The Art of the Prima Donna or Leontyne Price’s ‘blue album’ – will be a definitive document of her artistry.

Consider the program. It’s a showcase for the soprano’s electric voice – like a column of pure light, or perhaps some awesome glacier – and command of various styles, languages and emotional registers. There are few curveballs here: this is a fairly typical selection of music for her fach, meant to show off the quality and scale of the voice.

A beautifully focused Vissi d’arte opens proceedings. It’s less fragile than some of the most acclaimed interpretations – those by Scotto, de los Angeles and Freni come to mind – more dignified and somehow morally serious, of a piece with her overall temperament...