Opera What is the best opera recording?

I am no opera expert, but a Requiem is not an opera. It is a mass for the dead. The Rutter Requiem on Reference is an excellent recording, but it isn't an opera.

I'm not an opera buff but do enjoy it from time to time. Happened across this list of "Reference Recordings" - don't know if it helps, or simply stirs new debate:

http://www.mrichter.com/opera/files/refs.htm

Happy listening.

FYI: Grandpad's link reference list is of vintage LPs, so most/many not available on CD.

Turandot is possibly Puccini's grandest opera. I've heard several. But the recording that brings Turandot to a powerful intensity is the 1959 recording with Erich Leinsdorf conducting the Rome Opera Orchestra and Chorus, along with Nilsson, Tebaldi, Tozzi, and the legendary Jussi Bjoerling in the part of Calaf. The entire line up is superb! This recording is very moving, moves the emotions. I don't have a very big opera collection, i'll post a few more later.

Everyone is correct in the difficulty of picking just one---HOWEVER I am amazed that no one mentioned La Boheme with Jussi Bjorling and Victoria de Los Angeles conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham----clearly the best ever La Boheme and arguably the greatest operatic recording of all time.

Buy it and enjoy forever!