The role has become almost like a second self for Joyce DiDonato: She sang the role of Elena in Rossini's La donna del lago (The Lady of the Lake) in London, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Santa Fé and at the New York Met. There, together with star tenor Juan Diego Floréz, she ensured another Rossini triumph in her career. Now the celebrated production is released as a live recording on DVD. The work is one of Rossini's lesser-known operas, but has come out of the shadows since Joyce DiDonato's hit role. Set in 16th-century Scotland, the romantic story is about a love affair amid political entanglements and war. None other than legendary historical novelist Sir Walter Scott provided the template, which had long preoccupied director Paul Curran. Curran was born in Scotland - no question that he got to the bottom of the gripping scenarios in a personal way. He began collaborating during Joyce DiDonato's Elena engagement in Santa Fé: "He arrived with a wealth of ideas for this work," says the star mezzo, "I especially liked how he ferreted out the emotional core of each scene." An absolute and perennially praised highlight of Joyce DiDonato's Rossini parade role is the highly emotional final aria Tanti affetti, replete with coloratura.