Since its launch half a century ago, Opera Rara has amassed a significant library of first and early editions of 19th-century Italian opera scores. The organisation – dedicated to performing, recording and championing the repertoire of the era – has built up a 5000-volume collection, including works both well-known and rarer from composers such as Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini, plus scores from of less-familiar composers such as Mayr, Mercadante, Pacini, Ponchielli. There are also autograph manuscripts from Donizetti, Mercadante and Pacini.

The library will now be moving to the Wales, where it will find a new home at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama following a grant by The Foyle Foundation. As a result, this unique collection will now become publically accessible for the first time.

Opera Rara says the acquisition funding will enable it to 'invest in a five year plan continuing their work in bringing the best of unfairly neglected operas back to life at the highest levels possible'.

Opera Rara's regular recordings continue to contribute critical-acclaimed additions to the catalogue. Among recent releases was a recording of Rossini’s Semiramide, named Recording of the Month in Gramophone’s recent Awards edition (read review), conducted by the organisation's Artistic Director Sir Mark Elder. Plans for next year include a release of the world première recording of Donizetti’s L’Ange de Nisida in March, followed in September by the original one-act version of Puccini’s first stage work Le Willis.