A wonderful performance! Gencer and Aragall are in magnificent voice. The only downside is Petri: I didn't care much for his gruff and uninteresting singing. Rota may not have the most distinctive of voices, but her Orsini is first-rate. As others have noted, "Era desso" is omitted, so we get Donizetti's revised ending, and there's no doubt that his second thoughts were superior to his first. It's a pity, though, that Gennaro's "T'amo qual dama" is omitted. Aragall's performance of it on the Sutherland Decca recording is very fine, as indeed is her singing of the final aria. I feel that Lucrezia lovers need both, as, apart from the differences in what's included, the two ladies are equally magnificent in their totally different ways. But even with the inadequate Petri, this recording is an absolute must.

What a great recording in great sound. I have always been a fan of Leyla Gencer and have several commercial recordings of her, but this remastering has brought another dimension to her voice. I love the opera and this recording should not be missed.

Excellent sound. Great performance.

サザ―ランドと聴き比べ、ジェンチェルの方が感情表現が上手で声もよく、若き日のアラガルも素晴らしい歌声でジェンナーロ役をこなし、満足のいく一枚でした。

Performance is good - but the final scene with Lucrezia's 'Era desso il mio figlio' is not included.

Donizetti’s Opera has not been well treated by recording companies. There are many live performances available but only two from the studio, with Montserrat Caballe and Joan Sutherland. Perhaps the dark story and the absense of a traditional love interest has mitigated against it’s greater popularity. Certainly the music is lively, engaging with it’s share of stand out arias.The opera depends on the soprano singing Lucrezia. The Sutherland recording in my view is out of court.Although noted for the role Sutherland simply can not sustain the dramatic and musical necessities of the role. Gencer, the Lucrezia her has no problems in this regard. Able to float a high pianissimo with the best she has a resonant chest voice and clarity of voice and diction. Her Gennaro Giacomo Aragall is excellent, the voice golden and youthful. Mario Petri’s voice is worn and pushed in the role. Ann Maria Rota has a fruity mezzo and delivers her show piece aria with bravura.The sound is particularly good.

I think Lucrezia Borgia is one of Donizetti's best operas: the libretto is tight and straightforward, the characters well-developed, the music tuneful, always serving the plot. Gencer is terrific here with little of the scooping that plagues some of her other work. She is passionately involved, digging into the text with great aplomb, singing as if her very life depended on it. She ends the Prologue on a thrilling D-flat and is equal to all of Donizetti's vocal demands. At this performance she does NOT sing Lucrezia's final cabaletta "Era desso figlio mio", written by the composer to please the first Lucrezia. The opera ends more effectively without it anyway. There is a La Scala performance from 1970 or so where she does include it (it used to be on the Myto label).Aragall sings gorgeously. Aria or not he is a worthwhile hero and one genuinely feels badly at his death. Rota is an assertive Orsino with excellent diction. She doesn't indulge in ornamentation for her drinking song, but is a positive presence in all of her scenes. Petri sings Alfonso very well and partners Gencer well in their first act duet. The supporting singers are all first-rate as is Franci's conducting. He maintains a strong pace for the opera and supports the singers with confidence.The sound is excellent broadcast mono. Donizetti and/or Gencer fans must have this!

Dinizetti at its best

Grab it! All soloists are great. Gencer is incredible. She is dramatically convincing as usual. Her high notes are impressive and her singing is really beautiful. Not to mention her vocal stamina. Aragall is superb, nuanced, elegant Gennaro. Petri has (for me at least) a bit comically coloured voice, however he ist still excellent Don Alfonso. Rota is very good Orsini. Franci made a very vivid, lively performance with forces of Teatro di San Carlo, Napoli.

Grandissima la Gencer e grande Ghiaurov. Il giovane Muti è entusiasmante. Ascoltai per radio la diretta della prima...