Given the singers in this performance I wasn't surprised by how well it was sung, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear a performance where everything clicked, where the entire cast was excellent, and the sound mostly very clear and present.Carreras was still in prime voice in 1977, the high notes gleaming, the timbre one of the last century's must beautiful. It wouldn't last, but we can still hear him at his best here. Ricciarelli is marvelous, a few scooped high notes aside. Her timbre is warm and steady, revealing none of the stress that would develop over the next couple of years. Randova demonstrates why she was a star in Europe with her blazing Eboli. Her "O don fatale" brings the house down and rightly so. I loved the extra duet for Elisabetta and Eboli and the stinging rebuke Elisabetta gives to Eboli when she sends the Conte di Lerma in to give Eboli her choice of punishment rather than doing it herself as in the version we usually hear.Manuguerra is a tremendously good Posa and Raimondi a great Filippo. Roni is a frightening Grand Inquisitor. Lopez-Cobos reminds us of why he was considered such a good opera conductor with his strong, flexible leadership. He conducts a mostly uncut edition of Act Four with some extra music worth hearing (see above).The sound is clear and satisfying though there is some annoying static here and there. It doesn't obscure the music, but one is always grateful when it stops.

First of all, I would like to say that the quality of the sound of this recording is good. The sound is captured so far enough to realize the projection of the different voices and their occupation of the sonorous space.R.Raimondi makes his "big" voice to make believe that it is a real bass but theatrically it works well (as usual).Luigi Roni, who is well known in the role of Grand Inquisitor, is a little short of low note (as usual).Ricciarelli and Carreras are young, totally committed, incredible vocally speaking. The Ricciarelli’s voice is superb; we know what it will become later ...Matteo Manuguerra is certainly the best Posa with R.Bruson and before them E.Bastianni. What a voice, what a class !!! A little more nuanced and it would have been perfect! But do not be too demanding.Eva Randova is an anthology Eboli, one of the best of the discography. Equal singing on all registers, power of voice and dramatic investment. Only the style of the “Song of the veil” leaves (a little) to be desired. Its "O don fatal " is simply historic and the audience is not mistaken, it makes her a triumph. I have never heard this song with such a vocal and dramatic impact.Jesus Lopoz Cobos wakes up and stands out in the fourth and fifth acts.A treasure hidden : the duet of the fourth act between Elisabeth and Eboli ... a pure marvel.To conclude, a great opera evening/performance almost a reference version.