Ascanio in Alba, KV 111
Idomeneo, re di Creta, KV 366
Le nozze di Figaro, KV 492
Die Entführung aus dem Serail, KV 384
Cosi fan tutte, KV 588
Der Schauspieldirektor, KV 486
Mitridate, re di Ponto, KV 87
La finta giardiniera, KV 196
Don Giovanni, KV 527
Lucio Silla, KV 135
La Clemenza di Tito, KV 621
Die Zauberflöte, KV 620

Those of you who admire the music of Mozart and are particularly fond of his operatic output, but sometimes aren't quite up to sitting through a complete listening session, may very well enjoy this new recording bringing together twelve overtures from some of his most famous operas. Conductor Michael Alexander Willens projects uplift and energy within the music, along with fleet-footed drive. The forty members strong Kölner Akademie is small enough in numbers to deliver a swift and agile sound, and large enough to produce a hefty aural punch when called for. It would have been nice to include some of Mozart's early attempts at opera like Apollo et Hyacinthus or lesser known operas like Zaide where some of his symphonic music serves as the overture. But at 62 minutes this CD certainly offers a substantial overview of this composer's operatic divertissements.