In 1961 Joan Sutherland was just starting to find her niche in the bel canto repertoire after having flirted with the dramatic soprano domain in the late 50s. This recording not only displays her innate brilliance singing bel canto, but it bears out that her earlier notions of a career as a dramatic soprano were far from delusional. The ringing steel in her sound seems truly incongruous with a voice as agile and pure as hers. She is joined by an excellent cast of supporting singers including an excellent Enrico courtesy of John Shaw. John Pritchard demonstrates a sensitive understanding of Italian bel canto.