A fantastic opera of Verdi and a fantastic casting !!!!! What an happiness hearing those great singers in the best of their art of singing and of acting. All are really wonderful. Thank you to the Liceo of Barcelona for offering a so beautiful production, thank you for that recording. Delightful.

This is a blazing performance of Vespri with four thrilling principals and exciting leadership from Queler in the pit. Caballe is in fantastic form: the top is thrilling, the coloratura accurate, the involvement complete. Sometimes Caballe could go on autopilot - not here. Performing in front of an audience who loved and indulged her, she loves and indulges them right back, adding high notes and holding on to them until the rest of us would turn blue for lack of oxygen. The "Arrigo, ah, parli un core" is a masterclass in how to take a piece of music and personalize it without betraying the composer. The nearly 3 octave cadenza at the end is jaw-dropping. The audience responds with an unrestrained ovation. She is just as impressive in all of her other scenes; she even screams at the end as everyone is being massacred around her!Domingo is in great form too and receives a demonstration after his aria. Bordoni would probably be a superstar now and Diaz shows why he had a busy career for so long. Queler was often accused (with some justification) of being a sloppy conductor, but here she shows her fine musicianship and leadership skills.The Pirate Gods smiled benevolently on this broadcast and the sound is excellent. If you love Verdi and/or Caballe, you must get this!

Splendid singing and conducting, a worthy production of Verdi's intentions.

What a performance….and it’s not likely you’ll hear anything like this again anytime soon.It never occurred to meet how major this music is.