This recording of Manon Lescaut is a remarkable document, capturing a young Giuseppe Giacomini at the very beginning of his career. In 1972, his voice bore a resemblance to a young Mario Del Monaco. The sheer ease and power of his singing are astonishing.

The rest of the cast is equally compelling, with Anna Maria Balboni delivering a particularly noteworthy portrayal of Manon. Her voice is rich and expressive, balancing the character’s innocence with the sumptuous phrasing required by Puccini’s music.