Book excerpt: Lists classical and operatic recordings that are specifically available in the new (and desirable) compact disc format. Individual titles are graded for their appropriateness to specific types and sizes of libraries. The main portion covers some 160 composers whose works are important in constituting a nuclear library collection of "serious" music. There are over 1,200 titles included and individually numbered (and fully cross-referenced) and graded. For numerous works, two or more performances are cited in order to provide the librarian with greater choices; monophonic works are specifically indicated. Many of the works are annotated. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR