ROSSINI: ALTERNATIVE ARIAS; “GIOVANNA D’ARCO.” Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano; Martin Katz, piano; Chorus and Orchestra Sinfonia Di Torino della RAI conducted by Alberto Zedda. CBS Masterworks MK-44820 (compact disc).

Rossini prepared these seven arias for insertion into “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” “Tancredi,” “La Gazza Ladra,” “Zelmira” and “Maometto II” either to soothe the censor, to placate modestly gifted divas or to flatter ambitious ones. The composer drew some of the material from earlier operas and readapted several for later stage works. None is commonly sung in modern performances, because most, despite their inventiveness, are inferior to the passages they, at least temporarily, replaced. The 1832 Joan of Arc cantata shows Rossini mastering the conventions of French vocal writing. Horne’s authority in this recital (originally recorded in 1982-83) is undeniable. Charm and warmth don’t rate high, but the mezzo’s technical prowess faces down all of the contemporary competition.