Horne was just beginning to master the Rossini roles that would make her so famous when this performance was recorded. Her voice was in its freshest estate, even from top to bottom, capable of any coloratura demands, and bursting with personality to boot. She had not acquired some of the mannerisms that characterized her singing later on. The rest of the cast is made up of native Italian speakers and, in the first act finale especially, that counts for a lot. Bottazzo's attractive tenor is enjoyable and he manages most of Lindoro's tricky passagework very well. Conductor Franci trims his aria in the first act to spare him two top C's, but otherwise Bottazzo is more than acceptable if not up to the level of Juan Diego Florez today. Monachesi is a witty Taddeo who doesn't overplay his role. Petri sings a handsome Mustafa, displaying some of the allure this character must have in order for the plot to work. Tavolaccini is a good Elvira, but Franci cuts her top C's in the first act finale too (what is it with this guy?). The other singers are excellent. Franci paces the opera well, but makes too many cuts for my taste. This is not a particularly long opera; maybe RAI placed time constraints on him.The sound is excellent broadcast mono. If you love Rossini or Horne, you should have this!

This is an absolute delight, in crystal-clear broadcast mono. The intimacy of the microphone motivates Marilyn Horne to a subtler -- indeed confidential -- reading of Isabella than she gave in the opera house. Make no mistake: Whatever the venue, she is all but definitive in the role. The trademark chest tones are present, along with an easy reach into the upper register. Horne's sound fairly sparkles and her legato is gorgeous. After a rusty start, Mario Petri rises to the occasion and provides a worthy foil as Mustafa. The latter's big solo is cut and Carlo Franci's conducting is a bit strait laced but that's as close as one can come to serious complaints.Piero Bottazzo's light, liquid tenor flits about Lindoro's music with butterfly grace and Walter Monachesi is a spirited Taddeo. The remaining players are all commendable. This is one of Opera Depot's very finest offerings.