I have a sentimental affection for this performance since my wife comes from Davenport, Iowa, home of Margherita Roberti. I have to say that she and all the other principals are just beyond praise. You especially singled out Cornell MacNeil but I believe the others are equally good. Where are all these strong, steady, powerful voices today? The conducting by Previtali is also excellent, energetic and fiery. The reason I gave it four stars is that there is some sonic distortion for a few minutes at the beginning of the final act. Otherwise, the recorded sound is quite good, surprisingly so for a live recording of this vintage!

You've got to have four great leading singers for this opera; otherwise it can be dead-on-arrival. This performance has those four singers. Labo is a fiery hero singing with bravado and style. MacNeil's vibrato was beginning to betray the wobble that would afflict his work later on, but he still provides plenty of vocal thrills. Hines is a powerful, glowering presence, making Silva memorable which he often isn't. Roberti was one of those excellent sopranos who never recorded commercially, but who sang with tremendous excitement. She sang a lot of the early Verdi soprano roles (including Abigaille) very well. She didn't have a great trill and some of her passage work will raise some eyebrows. Her top notes are excellent though (a must in this repertoire).Previtali's conducting is a little too reticent for my taste, but he keeps up with the cast. The performance has the traditional cuts of the period. The sound is very good broadcast stereo. Recommended to any fans of the singers or the opera.

RECOMMENDED!!!SUPERB SINGING! VERY GOOD AUDIO QUALITY AND IN STEREO!!!

Just listened to this thrilling performance,Macneil was the main reason for buying this cd, after listening to the sample provided-wow!.labo and Hines providing truly great, tasteful and exciting verdi singing, but the real find for me was Margherita Roberti.It’s amazing how many singers in the 50′s and 60′s were not given the recognition they deserve.She has a pure, well focused voice, used with intelligence, that cuts through the ensembles without becoming forced and thick,would love to hear her in ‘trovatore’.I believe there is a recording of her with Corelli in Tosca at the Met, would love to hear it. Congratulations on this great cd-great sound! will be buying from you again-just spoilt for choice .Regards Jonathan Hollows (united kingdom).