Except for Bastianini, most of the singers in this recording were not very well-known outside Italy. Because of that most opera lovers might dismiss this as an also-ran - don't be one of them!De Rosa's vibrato may take a moment to get used to. It's not a wobble, but a shimmer that becomes more powerful the higher it goes. Without overstating anything, she vividly conveys Giorgetta's unhappiness. Her top Cs are exciting and she delivers a believable scream at the end. Puma was considered a second or third stringer by some, yet here he shows not only a fine voice, but a dramatic imagination that makes Luigi more than just a stereotypical stevedore. Bastianini sings gloriously - what a voice! The squillo in the high Gs is incredible. His excellent diction and restrained characterization make him a first-rate Michele.The supporting singers are also all great. Ebe Ticozzi, probably best known for singing Mamma Lucia in Callas' studio recording of Cavalleria Rusticana, makes a lot of La Frugola. Angelo Mercuriali was heard in many studio recordings of Italian operas as was Eraldo Coda. The young Luigi Alva (who just recently passed away) is heard as a fresh-voiced Song-vendor. The performance is conducted extremely well by Mario Cordone; he knows how to pace a Puccini opera and build the climaxes. The sound is excellent: clear and on-pitch.The year of the recording sounds right (1954). Was this really recorded in Hamburg? With an all-Italian cast? Hmmm...All Puccini lovers should have this. I only wish we had De Rosa in Suor Angelica too!