This shows Muti's skill before he began to believe his own press and became mannered and dictatorial (I understand he has mellowed over the years). He leads with spirit and works with his singers rather than flattening them with his "come scritto" policies. He makes the traditional cuts of second verses of the cabalettas here. Raimondi would go on to sing this role with even more color and depth, but he's already very good here with his distinctive bass-baritone. Guelfi matches him in their duets and is completely believable as a rough-and-ready warrior. Cecchele is good, not very polished, but very enthusiastic. Stella was barely 40 when this performance was given. She has no difficulties with the music. She sounds like she learned this role just for the broadcast; more punch is needed for this role to really work, but she never disgraces herself.The sound is very good broadcast mono from RAI. If you love early Verdi and this opera in particular, you should get this.

Attila is a beautiful opera with great arias and two particularly memorable scenes. Verdi was in his "Galley" years and the opera ends in a way that suggests hei just wanted to finish it all. Musically though it's a feast. The men are all excellent. Raimondi's black sonorous voice is ideal as Attila, the massive voiced Gian Giacomo Guelfi is exciting and elemental as Enzio, the self serving Roman general.Gianfranco Checchele one of the best tenors of his era, disgracefully neglected by the gramaphone companies, has always reminded me of Mario Del Monaco. In my experience he has not been heard to better advantage than here. The comparison with Del Monaco more potent.In this company Stella is rather left behind, and I speak as an admirer. Her voice is beautiful still,( this is a bit late in her career) and she sings the role pleasingly, but without the punch or bite to suggest a warrior maiden.The sound is excellent.