Voices you can’t get enough of

Are there specific voices you just love? For me, I love Callas in the more spinto side of her voice, her light lyric stuff is not as much of my jam. Jessye Norman sings my go-to Liebestod, and either Sutherland or Nilsson sing my go-to Turandots. Anything that requires an absolute pianissimo and not a phoned-in attempt (Aida, Leonora in Forza, Norma) leads me to Caballé. I also love Renée Fleming and Nicole Car. I also wish Ghena Dimitrova had made more recordings.

As far as mezzos go, Agnes Baltsa is a name I always look for. I’m also a fan of Aigul Akhmetshina and Callas’s ventures into mezzo territory. Dolora Zajick is great in the dramatic Italian rep, and of course the inimitable Marilyn Horne is always among the top mezzos for me.

My favorite tenors include Jussi Björling and Giacomo Lauri-Volpi. Sue me but I’m not a huge fan of Pavarotti or Del Monaco…

I don’t listen to a ton of bass/baritone rep but when I do, Hvorostovsky, Milnes, and Ramey are names I look for.

Who are the singers whose voices you always seek out when looking for a recording?