Arena di Verona recordings are almost always a little rough and ready; this one is no exception. Recorded by someone close to the stage, the voices can always be heard though occasionally they wander a bit from the audience member's tape recorder. Balances aren't always ideal (Maragliano can barely be heard in the final moments of Act Two), but enough of the excitement of the performance comes across to make this set worthwhile to fans of the singers.And the singers certainly deliver! Maragliano was taken for granted in her day, but she'd be a star today. She has no difficulty with the music and often is imaginative with the text. She wins cheers for her "O patria mia" in Act Three and deservedly so. Corelli makes a good late career showing and demonstrates his ability to modulate his volume when he wants to. The voice doesn't move as freely as it used to, yet he remains a handsome Radames. Nave's instrument is more average in quality yet never does one doubt she has the music at her command. Mastromei is a superb Amonasro and the reliable Ferrin sings a strong Ramfis. De Fabritiis knows the opera intimately (Lord knows how many times he conducted it!) and leads a convincing performance. The audience is definitely the seventh leading character and their enthusiasm is contagious.

Trotz seiner langsam auslaufenden Karriere befindet sich Corelli in bestechender Form. Auch alle anderen Sänger und Dirigent und Orchester bringen gute Leistungen. Insgesamt eine Aufnahme die es lohnt sich anzuhören..Der Ton ist zwar mona und insgesamt nur befriedigent, aber die Stimmung in der Arena ist toll eingefangen. W.Busch