Magda Olivero will always represent, for me, the highest standard of Italian style. There are many other sopranos whose voices I have preferred, but few possessed her ability to shape a musical line and communicate with such conviction. Her performances were consistently direct and emotionally immediate without ever becoming exaggerated or self-conscious. In this recording, made when she was already in her sixties, she sings with a command that many celebrated artists never achieved at half her age.

Before hearing this performance, I had very little experience with this opera. I was surprised to discover that it offers far more than its famous aria. The score is richly orchestrated, drawing on both German and French influences to create an especially lush musical language. The recorded sound is also very good.