I wasn't sure what to expect from this recording since Santuzza wasn't one of Stella's most common roles and Di Stefano's tone had already started to harden by 1963. In the event, this is a terrific performance, passionate and smoldering from beginning to end.Stella sings the heck out of Santuzza, giving the lie to those who insist she was a placid, under-involved singer. She sings a mighty high B at the end of the Easter prayer and caps it with an emotional, but not over-the-top "Voi lo sapete". Her Easter curse is terrifying and she includes the top C at the end that a lot of singers leave out. Di Stefano is in relaxed and easy voice. Occasionally his tone betrays a little of the wooden sound that hampered him when he drifted far outside of his lyric fach, but otherwise he is a great Turiddu. The opening Siciliana is meltingly beautiful, the central duet with Santuzza hair-raising. He manages a good high B at the end of the drinking song and is heartbreaking in his farewell to his mother.Dondi is more than capable as Alfio, Zannini is deliciously nasty as Lola, and Magrini is Mamma Lucia to the life. They all know the verismo style well. De Fabritiis knew this score like the back of his hand and paces it expertly. The chorus and orchestra are also excellent. Except for the less than 20 second spot of file corruption mentioned by Andy above, the sound is great, pitched correctly too.All Cavalleria Rusticana fans should get this!