When I first looked at the cast for this performance, I moved on fairly quickly. I like the use of appoggiaturas and ornaments in Mozart and I figured, correctly as it turned out, that these singers recorded in 1956, weren't "there" yet. I'm glad I finally gave this recording a chance as it is now one of my favorite Figaros. Gui captures the effervescence of the score without losing any of its humanity.The singers are all excellent, perhaps not as memorable as some others in terms of characterization or beauty of tone, but they bring the opera to life in a way other ensembles don't. Taddei and Noni are perfect as Figaro and Susanna. Taddei occasionally adapts the vocal line to his strengths (some of the music is too low for him), but Mozart would not have minded. Cassinelli is a dangerous Count, full of allure. He ducks the top F# in his aria, but so what? Moscucci is a lovely Countess, singing a memorable "Dove sono". Simionato steals the show as Cherubino with her vibrant mezzo. She didn't sing the role often by this point in her career so we're fortunate it was captured for posterity. Cava and Corsi are delicious fun as Bartolo and Marcellina. Carlin is so good as Basilio Gui rewards him by including his Act 4 aria! Boyer is Antonio to the life. There are flaws here and there where someone drops a line or is a little late entering; it's a live performance and it happens. But what a performance it is! The insertion of another performance that Andy mentions above comes directly after the Count's "Contessa, perdono" and is seamlessly done. The sound is great and on pitch.All Figaro fans should have this!