2008 three CD set. Caritea, regina di Spagna (Caritea, the Queen of Spain) is the protagonist of Saverio Mercadante"s opera of the same name: the work was first performed in 1826. In 1995 Caritea was recorded for the first time ever for CD release, performed by the Orchestra Internazionale d"Italia Opera and Bratislava Chamber Chorus, conducted by Giuliano Carella. The opera was affectionately known as Donna Caritea and was extremely popular with audiences from the word go and was soon mentioned in the same breath as other contemporary operas like Otello (1816) and Semiramide (1823) by Rossini. The plot is clear cut, linear, dramatic and deeply moving and love prevails at the end of the day. Nuova Era.