I think there are a fair few of us who consider Amneris the main role in Verdi’s Aïda. A spoiled princess, jilted for the slave girl, she still shows delusional loyalty to Radames as he is condemned to death. This scene always needs pedal-to-the-metal singing and yes, Simionato, Cossotto and Bumbry are the classic go-tos.

But Brigitte Fassbaender tears through the role like no other (this Lieder singer wisely kept her appearances in this exhausting part to a minimum, despite offers from all over the world), that burnt bronze to her voice at the fore. Her agile mezzo is thrilling, but that is secondary to text, text, text. Listen 8 minutes into the above clip for the way she spits out ‘Ah gl’infami!’ Spine chilling. Muti is on fire, too, in this 1979 performance but Brigitte could still wipe the floor with him. It is an all-around fabulous recording of Amneris, sorry Aïda.