A very moving recording with Tucci and Bastianini transforming this opera into an even greater masterpiece. The only thing I'd like to mention is that the recording is distorted at the climax of Tucci's aria (dice vivi ancora... io son l'amore). It doesn't ruin the overall magic for me, but it might for others.

This is a hot performance of Giordano's French Revolution opera. Bastianini and Tucci are superb throughout, really throwing themselves into the drama and singing with uninhibited Italianate passion. Craig is also excellent, providing ringing top notes and very clear diction. He won't make you forget Corelli or Del Monaco in this role (was he substituting for one of them?), but he certainly shows why he was so popular in his native England. The supporting cast proves every bit as good as the leads. They're native Italians and they know this style very intimately. Mannino leads with spirit and precision. The sound is mostly excellent which makes me sad to report that there are some tape source issues, especially in the Third Act. The sound wavers to and fro during Maddalena's "La mamma morta". A splice to another source shortly after gives us good sound until the end of the opera. The good news is a YouTube clip gives us the scene with wavering sound in sound that equals the rest of the performance (look up Bastianini/Tucci/Andrea Chenier). I wish Andy would redo disc two, incorporating the better source, but that isn't likely to happen. It's not THAT bad, but when the rest of it is so good...

Charles Craig’s voice was nothing if not Italianate!!!

Craig -whilst marvellous here- is even better in the Sadlers Wells performance in English, where he responds sensitively to his native language. Great to have both!

Charles Craig is marvellous and he’s having to compete with a somewhat unruly soprano!