Lesley Garrett, the eponymous album by Britain's most popular soprano was made not as the soundtrack, but as a companion to the artist's 1998 self-titled BBC television series. Recorded with a fine sounding BBC Concert Orchestra, the 20 selections offer a well-rounded portrait of the "Diva of Doncaster", encompassing not just the entire spectrum of opera, but Broadway too. The album ranges from Giordani's fine eighteenth-century love song "Caro Mio Ben" to the beautiful aria "Ombra mai fu" from Handel's opera Xerxes. Moving to the nineteenth century, Garrett offers the delicate "Seguedille" from Bizet's Carmen, while the opening and closing selections come from the passionate world of Verdi, the finale "Brindisi" featuring the tenor John Hudson and the chorus London Voices. Again with John Hudson, comes the rapturous ballad "Tonight" from West Side Story, before Garret is supported by a full company on "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from My Fair Lady, and, solo once more, gives a luxurious reading of Gershwin's "Someone To Watch Over Me". In full and expressive voice through-out, Lesley Garrett's many admirers will have no hesitation in adding this lavish album to their collections. --Gary S. Dalkin