A great live recording!

Extraordinary and historic

All was ok wint the service and the performance no need to say

I have reviewed other Lucias here (Sutherland and Robinson). While they are both wonderful in this role (and, in truth, have more attractive high notes than Scotto), they are not native Italian speakers: Scotto is and it really pays off in this exciting Lucia from La Scala 1967. This was the premiere of a new production and young Claudio Abbado took the trouble to open up a number of cuts that were then standard in Lucia. We get the entire Act Two finale (one of Donizetti's best), the Wolf's Crag scene and the "S'avanza Enrico" portion of the Mad Scene. We don't get the Raimondo-Lucia scene; that would have to wait for another production and other singers.Listen to how Scotto colors the words of her opening aria and cabaletta, her halting, fearful "Che fia?" in the scene with her brother, the exquisite way she shapes the text of the Mad Scene - all very specific as if she were actually thinking about what she is singing! In fact, that goes for the men too. Raimondi sings a red-hot Edgardo and is applauded vigorously for his efforts. Guelfi is a bullying Enrico who could still sing this music well when this was recorded. And then there's the wonderful Ferrin, an underappreciated bass who was always good in whatever he sang (and so was doomed to be taken for granted). De Palma, Prior, and Rafanelli are first-rate in their smaller roles. The sound is excellent.Andy treats us to another bel canto lesson with his appendix of Scotto singing an aria from "Maria di Rohan".

Beside Callas Renata Scotto is the best Lucia and here we can hear her at her prime joining by an excellent Gianni Raimondi and a very good Gian Giacomo Guelfi. Abbado conducts a wonderful performnce.

It' a a historical performance