In the 1970s, newly rediscovered music from the Paris premiere of Don Carlo sparked a trend of presenting the opera complete — a stark contrast to earlier, heavily cut performances. During his legendary tenure at La Scala, Claudio Abbado mounted this production with a cast originally slated to include Mirella Freni and José Carreras. However, contractual obligations with Karajan required replacements — and what replacements they were! Plácido Domingo takes on the daunting title role with remarkable energy and commitment, turning what some consider a thankless part into a gripping portrayal. Margaret Price sings Elisabetta with a voice of impressive size and astonishing purity of tone, making the role feel tailor-made for her. Known for her dramatic intensity, Elena Obraztsova does not disappoint here; her wild, electrifying performance — especially her show-stopping "O Don fatale" — leaves a powerful impression. The sound is very good, though a persistent hiss is audible throughout.