Though Haydn was known primarily as an instrumental composer, he also had a successful and prolific career as an opera composer. This budget-priced box set brings together four complete opera recordings, all under the direction of Antal Dorati with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. 
These recordings, made in the late 1970s, were groundbreaking at the time and remain valuable documents of Haydn’s lesser-known works.

''On CD Armida makes a fair entertainment, with splendid singing from Jessye Norman even if she scarcely sounds malevolent. Claes Ahnsjo as the indecisive Rinaldo does better than most tenors in coping with the enormous range. The whole team of soloists is one of the most consistent in Dorati's Haydn opera series, with Norma Burrowes particularly sweet as Zelmira. The 1978 recording quality is outstanding. La fedelta premiata shows its composer on his finest form. It was the first of Dorati's series of Haydn opera recordings for Philips, launched with characteristic effervescence, helped by and excellent Haydn-sized orchestra and a first-rate cast. The proud Aramanta is superbly taken by Frederica on Stade, while Haydn's unconventional allocation of voices brings a fine baritone, Alan Titus, to match her as the extravagant Count Perruccetto. But the sweetest and most tender singing comes from Ileana Cotrubas as the fickle nymph, Neria. The recording is intimate but with plenty of atmosphere.'' Penguin Guide