This is a fine live performance that does not come to fruition because of it's lack luster sound. Marie Collier was the only performer I knew and she sang passionately; I enjoyed her performance. Everyone else was adequate but I wish the voices were closer. I's say this is for Collier fans only.

From the clear sound reproduction I'm going to guess the source of this exciting Cavalleria Rusticana was a broadcast. Looking at the cast many opera lovers may shrug and move on as I did a number of times before acquiring this. Collier was a passionate, skilled singer whose go-for-broke approach was ideal for Santuzza. She is unafraid of the larger than life emotions of verismo and yet she still sings well and doesn't overact. My admiration for her is strengthened by this stirring performance. Her Turiddu, Francisco Lazaro, is not a well-known name to most of us, but he sings with a beautiful, lyrical tone that he never forces. His performance doesn't shake one's world the way a Corelli or Domingo might in this music, but he is believable as an immature young man in over his head. Robert Savoie's baritone is a little wobbly in tone yet he ultimately makes a strong impression, especially in the short scene after the Brindisi. Judith Forst sings Lola's catchy song very well and Audry Glass is a strong Mamma Lucia. The actress who screams the final two lines is superb; she brings this tale of Sicilian love and retribution to an appropriately fiery climax. Otto Werner-Mueller leads and follows his singers very well.Performances like this are why most of us live-opera collectors enjoy collecting so much.