Elizabeth Vaughan was a singer who never got her due. She is glorious in this performance as is James McCracken as manrico

This is a very exciting performance of Trovatore, everyone is in fine voice, and the conducting by David Atherton is highly energized while also alert to the poetics of the score. Listen to the winds doubling Leonora in the second iteration of her theme in the concertato, as one example. Elizabeth Vaughan is a name new to me, and sings splendidly, with absolute technical assurance in this difficult role; more, she convinces that Leonora's erotic longing for Manrico is the driving force behind the drama (listen to her arching phrases in "Tacea la notte"!). Quibbles: Gorr lacks a trill in "Stride la vampa " (so do many); MacNeil (what a voice!) is rhythmically uncertain at times. McCracken is a pertinent and confident Manrico, and Michael Langdon a marvelous Ferrando. Altogether, a delightful surprise.

The principals in the performance are all in excellent form. McCracken is a Manrico to die for. He delivers a hushed "Ah is, ben mio" followed by a stirring"Di quella pita". MacNeil was a consumate Verdi baritone and this performance let you know why. Gorr is in her element. She was up to every challenge Verdi made of her character. While not my favorite Leonora, Vaughn handles herself very well. Recommend as an addition to any collection of Trovatores.

I must say, I bought the recording for McCracken, but I absolutely loved the whole performance!! Amazing!

Although an underrated and overlooked "Il trovatore", the cast stars great singers and a fine orchestra and conductor... To be recommended!

Gorr, not Gore - sorry about that Rita!

Mr. Brand has already written a fine review of this performance, one with which I concur completely. Elizabeth Vaughan was an excellent soprano whose career was based mainly in the UK. Some opera lovers may not know of her so this performance provides a real opportunity. Her voice is even from top to bottom with a distinctive tartness that helps color her lines most effectively. The top is very secure and she handles the florid moments with skill. I was a little disappointed that she doesn't end Act One on the unwritten, but traditional high D-flat. I know she had the note because she uses it in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi. Nor does she include a verse of the traditionally cut (at that time) cabaletta "Tu vedrai" although Atherton opens up a few other cuts in the score. No matter: her Leonora is a woman worth fighting for.Gore sounds magnificent, the high B-flats ring out excitingly. McCracken does not sound Italianate at all; he is a force of nature by himself. "Big Mac", as Cornell MacNeil was known, never got to do a Met broadcast of this opera so it's good to have him represented in such good form here. Langdon is a Ferrando who takes no prisoners. Atherton leads capably and the Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra perform with spirit.The sound is excellent. If you love Verdi or Trovatore, you should get this. At the very least you'll wonder why Vaughan didn't have a bigger international career.

This is an outstanding performance from the entire cast, chorus and orchestra. Despite the age the immediacy of the voices is astonishing and an impressive amount of orchestral detail comes through. The tempi are certainly fast - this was one of the earliest performances to adhere to more historically inclined tempi which are far more in evidence nowadays. At the time this proved controversial. The huge audience response tells you a lot about how this performance was received. Being a live performance one cabaletta and some 2nd verses are omitted otherwise it's a very full edition including the reinstatement of the often cut conclusion of the Azucena-Manrico duet. Gorr (no horrid chest notes) and MacNeil give a bel canto response to their roles, McCracken is exciting and accurate (no trill though) and greatly to be preferred to any of his commercial recordings where he's often inaccurate and lachrymose. While Vaughan, though little known outside the UK, sings a ravishing account of Leonora. Splendid Ferrando too. There are one or two very slight glitches and some background hiss. But from the opening timpani rolls you'll be so engrossed in the performance you won't notice. A must for any lover of this wonderful opera - and great singing.

The only azucena of my best friend Rita Gorr. Glorious and gorgeous !

The first Trovatore I saw and this brings back vivid memories especially the roof raising Rita Gorr and MacNeill's true Verdi baritone .