Despite being a contemporary of Rossini, Giovanni Pacini developed a musical style that in many respects seems more advanced even than Verdi, pointing toward the emergence of Ponchielli and, later, the Verismo period. Whereas Verdi retained a certain classical restraint in his writing, Pacini seems to favor raw, guttural vocal expression as well as harmonic invention more akin to Berlioz. The opera is unabashedly a vehicle for the leading soprano, and it is difficult to imagine a more ideal singer for its demands than Leyla Gencer. Gencer leans fully into the character's expression while maintaining her immaculate bel canto technique.

Despite being the only non-Italian in the cast, Louis Quilico aptly demonstrates his Italianate credentials, offering sumptuous legato singing and a keen sense of phrasing. Franca Mattiucci brings vocal purity and a strong presence, capably holding her own alongside Leyla Gencer in their many scenes together.