Valerie Masterson and Maureen Lehane in Rossini's opera Tancredi 

Valerie Masterson (Amenaide) and Maureen Lehane (Tancredi) in the Act 1 duet: "L'aura che intorno spiri".
Sinfonia Pro Musica is conducted by Frederick Marshall.
This performance was recorded on 23rd April 1971.
After her D'Oyly Carte years and as her operatic career was beginning to take off, Valerie Masterson sang in the Basilica Opera production of Rossini's Tancredi at the 1971 Camden Festival. Her partner was the English mezzo-soprano Maureen Lehane who appeared often in Rossini and Handel trouser roles in the 1960's and 1970's. While Maureen Lehane turned more to Lieder and Oratorio, Valerie Masterson went on to star at Sadler's Wells, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Covent Garden and theatres throughout the world.
This duet has the typical three part structure with contrasting sections including some lyrical singing in thirds and sixths and a jaunty conclusion with the opportunity for some precision timing of runs and staccati.