It was the particular genius of Giuseppi Verdi to combine the vocal brilliance of bel canto and the naturalistic drama of the emerging verismo school and synthesize the elements with an all-encompassing breadth and humanity worthy of Shakespeare. Jose Cura brings his own unique blend of talents to this repertoire, a strong, deep tenore robusto, a passionate temperament and a rare level of scholarship and preparation. Then again, what other tenor assumes the role of conductor and accompanist on his own recordings? This well-rounded selection covers 43 years of Verdi's output from 'I Due Foscari' of 1844 to 'Don Carlo' of 1887 and the performances are vintage Cura, both lyrical and darkly dramatic, commanding and well-measured, yet with the occasional sob of theatricality. And, as singer and conductor are so fortunate as to be of one mind, the accompaniments are most sympathetic.