Amazing presence and clarity in this new remastered version. Björling’s performance is simply electric. Vesti la giubba is his most deeply felt version. As is his Non Pagliaccio non son. Both scenes display unparalelled vocal freedom and simply knock out every other version in recorded history. Highly Recommended.

I hadn't heard this performance in decades when I listened to it again Sunday afternoon. Björling is terrific. His passionate singing and sheer magnificence of voice puts him in a separate class from most singers of this role. That he is singing in his native language sharpens the dramatic temperature even beyond his famous studio recording. He is terrifying in his rage at Nedda at the end.The Nedda, Ruth Moberg, has an excellent voice with an especially strong top. She captures Nedda's desperate, trapped character very well. Barring one note that gets away from him, Carl-Haxel Hallgren makes a sexy Silvio. Erik Sundquist uses his dark, menacing voice to turn in a frightening Tonio. He ducks the traditionally interpolated A-flat in the opening Prologue, but concludes with a ringing top G. He is allowed the last line of the opera as originally written by the composer. Gardelli leads an exciting performance, replete with appropriate crowd noises and stage noises (i.e. we hear Björling drop the knife after he has killed Nedda and Silvio). The sound is excellent.The last track features six minutes of Björling performing Canio's big vocal moments from a Vienna State Opera in 1937. His little twists and turns to the vocal line are very endearing - what a singer!!

...come from Vienna in 1937!

Only reason for buying it is Jussi

What a fabulous recording – I’ve just enjoyed listening to the whole opera. Even at this stage in his career, Jussi’s wonderful voice sounds effortless and passionate. But when were the two Pagliacci bonus tracks on the end recorded? They sound as though they’re from much earlier. Unless I have information missing from my CD there are no details given.