Cornea is an excellent Falstaff. The women in the cast were delightful. Anything with Capecchi in it is a keeper.

This cast of all Italian-speaking singers delivers an exciting, funny, and joyful performance of Verdi's last opera under the direction of the masterful Giulini. He is far more lively here than he was for the Los Angeles Philharmonic performances much later on where he had become so dour and depressed.Corena doesn't have the rich sound of a Leonard Warren or a Geraint Evans nor does he have quite the sardonic wit of Tito Gobbi. He smudges or leaves out the triplets required by the composer at certain points. Yet he makes the role his own: outrageous, obnoxious, fun-loving, lovable.The women are terrific. Ligabue and Freni actually sound like the could be related. Ligabue provides the quick-silver leadership Alice must give the ensembles and Freni's final aria is a true moment of beauty. Their final joint top C is thrilling. Cadoni is a first-rate Meg as is Barbieri's Quickly. Alva matches Freni in vocal beauty and dexterity. Capecchi is almost a frightening Ford. There are times where he shouts too much, but he always conveys the text. The other singers are great, the ensembles, especially the final fugue, really snapping under Giulini's direction.The sound is excellent broadcast mono with no glitches that I heard. If you love Falstaff, get this. It's one of the best versions I've ever heard of this opera!