This is the type of exciting performance that could be experienced away from the pressure of the Met and New York in general. The big critics didn't make the journey down to Hartford complain about the "lack of taste" and the grandstanding most of the soloists engage in and which the audience loves.Corelli is in his element, singing before an audience that adored him. He interpolates two thrilling top Cs (at the end of the big duet with Rodrigo and the reprise of it in Act 2) and receives deafening approval from the crowd. In fact, he holds onto every high note Verdi wrote while singing with that vibrant timbre so unique to him; there will never be another Corelli.Kabaivanska is also exciting in a role that usually isn't performed that way. She defies all the men in the opera with spirit and then sings the heck out of "Tu che le vanitá" in the last scene. She jumps into the high note contest by holding her final high B much longer than written. Quilico is terrific as Rodrigo and Ghiaurov richly deserves the ovation he receives after "Ella giammai m'amo". Ghiuselev is a frightening Grand Inquisitor; I was surprised he avoided the optional low E in his scene with Phillip. Dominguez provides bravura singing in her two big arias. One curious point: to me it sounds like Eboli is sung by Irene Dalis in Act 2, scene 1; perhaps I'm wrong. The supporting cast is also first-rate. Guadagno indulges his singers in their high notes and good for him.The voices are very clear throughout though Act 3 finds them just a little bit further away - a different tape source? It's all very listenable though; the pitch of the tape is correct too.If you love exciting singing and/or this opera, you must get this. It's not subtle, but it is very cathartic!