Grace Bumbry had been trying soprano roles out for several years when this performance was given. She attempted the role five years later at the Met, but was less successful. She nails every top C, singing passionately and beautifully. Her competitive streak show itself when she gets to the B-flat at the end of the "L'amo come fulgor" duet before her Laura and then sustains it just a bit longer to boot. She has obviously heard the famous recordings and is well-aware of the traditions of the part.Gwynn Cornell in her pre-Met days is an impressive Laura though there are other roles that showed her unique vocal quality off better. Vern Shinall sings with that cranky vocal tone familiar from many Met broadcasts, but also employs ringing high notes. Tucker sounds a little muscular by this point in his career (he was over sixty), yet he still manages to convince us of his passion for Laura. His "Cielo e mar" receives a big hand from the enthusiastic audience. Some young bass named Samuel Ramey thrills us with his resonant singing as Alvise. The rest of the cast is more than adequate. Silipigni knows how the piece is supposed to go and does his best to make it go that way although his orchestra is less than top notch.The sound is good in-house stereo, the voices clearly heard. The audience loves what they're hearing and so will you, especially if you're a Bumbry fan.

Thrilling. Gutsy singing