A specialist in Italian opera, Carlo Rizzi has often conducted lesser-known works in addition to the monuments of the genre. His debut was in 1982 in a production of Donizetti's L'ajo nell'Imbarazzo. By the late '80s, Rizzi was being seen conducting beyond Italy. In 1992, he made his recording debut, leading the London Symphony Orchestra in Verdi's La Traviata. Rizzi was the music director of the Welsh National Opera from 1992-2001 and again from 2004-2007. His recordings with them included Janáček's Katya Kabanova. Rizzi also held prestigious guest engagements during this period. In addition to major Italian works, Rizzi has recorded orchestral music. He was named music director of the Opera Rara label in 2019. In 2022, he led a recording of Leoncavallo's Zingari. By that time, his catalog comprised well over 50 recordings.