Beverly Sills was America's reigning superstar soprano in 1972 and she justifies her reputation with this performance, one of two Lucias given in Pittsburgh that year. She is in excellent voice, her coloratura fleet as ever, the top notes dead on and exciting. More crucially, she creates a vivid portrait of a vulnerable, wounded young woman against whom everyone conspires. Pierre Duval is a sturdy Edgardo who sings nobly and well, especially in the final scene. The other singers are all more than competent as is conductor Richard Karp (he makes all the traditional cuts).The drawback here is the dismal sound, especially in the first two acts. One can hear the singers, but the voices are very recessed. The tapist must've changed seats after intermission because the sound in Act 3 is much better. As SFJim writes below, since that is where the Mad Scene is that makes the set worth having. Even so, this isn't a set by which one should get to know the opera. Opera Depot has two other Lucias with Sills, both in much better sound. This set is for the Sills completist; they will be satisfied.

Cons above should read “Sound is wretched for Acts I & II, decent for Act III.” Basically the sound quality for all of disc 1 is inferior, even for a live recording. Several parts are all but inaudible. The rest is muffled and distant. The sound on disc 2 (Act III) is much better and pretty much what I’m accustomed to for a “pirate” recording. Since this includes the mad scene, it’s worth having, for me at least.