This is a superb performance of the Donizetti Comedy with Bonisolli and Grist in their youthful prime supported by the great Corena in one of his Buffo roles. The sound is very good, if a little boxy, but then that is to be expected given that it is live and the period. I never tire of listening to Com' e gentile followed by Tornami a dir. They blend beautifully in the latter, and I have never heard a better version of it..Sometimes we read about mannerisms of Bonislllis singing in the 80s but in a live concert in 1988 in Vienna he does Com' e gentil (Two verses), and Pourqoi me reveiller from Werther in the same lyric fashion as the Pasquale The only quibble I had with him in the later years was the annoying habit of interpolating high Cs where they did not seem right.. However that is a debate for another time. To sum up--A delightful performance which I'm so happy to own.

Donizetti's charming opera is not performed all that often nowadays, but this magical performance will make you want to hear it again and again. Reri Grist not only sings like an angel with all the coloratura and trills in place, but she is effortlessly charming, a quality one either has or one doesn't and Grist had it in spades. Bonisolli sings splendidly as does Robert Kerns as Malatesta. Corena is also charming as the old codger Pasquale. He and Kerns give a rollicking performance of their patter duet in Act Three. Philippe Carr conducts a bubbly performance. He makes the traditional cut of Ernesto's cabaletta in Act Two, but allows Grist her entire aria in Act One. The sound is excellent throughout. The bonus of Des Grieux's Act Three aria from Manon is a real pleasure because Bonisolli sings it so well.

I agree with everything written in More details. It is a very good recording of Don Pasquale, with delightful Grist as Norina and great Corena as title hero. Amazing Bonisolli. You can suspect he will be singing dramatic repertoire in the future. This recording is a real joy to hear.