Carlo Martelli's one-act opera The Curse of Christopher Columbus was commissioned by Shropshire County School of Music in 1992 for the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. It is now given its complete premier recording by professional forces on the 83-year-old composer's own label, Carma. Ronald Corp conducts the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the cast includes Sam Evans in the title role, Catherine Hooper as Queen Isabella, Lesley-Jane Rogers who sings the parts of The Caretaker and a frigate bird, Finisterre, Olivia Robinson as another frigate bird Dogger, and John Savournin as The VIP. Sam Evans is also the director of Essential Voices, the group of young professional singers who form the chorus. Booklet writer Paul Conway notes: "The myth of Columbus as a visionary explorer is thoroughly deconstructed by Chris Eldon Lee's witty and waspish libretto, which reveals the adventurer to be a ruthless and cynical plunderer. Humorous anachronistic references aside, the historical events depicted in the opera are rooted in truth." The opera recording, made at Angel Studios in London in March 2018, is produced by Philip Lane. The accompanying booklet contains the full libretto by Chris Eldon Lee.