Putting aside the likely true provenance of this performance, this selection of about 46 minutes of excerpts shows why the Golden Age of Singing is not a myth. Milanov sings with a poise and skill that set her apart from most of her competitors. She is in free, easy voice and handles all of Verdi's challenges with the air of a true Prima Donna (I'm not sure whether or not she sings a high D-flat at the end of Act 1 or not).Baum is always dependable and he knows his way around Manrico's music. It's a rather leathery, not especially beautiful sound, but one never has to worry about whether or not he'll make the next high note or phrase. Warren sounds terrific with his squillo-filled high notes. His big aria is present, but the volume on the original recording keeps getting lower and lower (?). It finally rights itself, but it is annoying. Harshaw shows why she was considered such a useful singer. Her voice is perfectly adjusted throughout its range (she uses no chest tones in her singing). She gets off a great high B-flat at the end. Interpretively she's not interesting, yet we could all do a lot worse. As touched on earlier the sound is very good and pitched correctly. The excerpts from Tosca are marvelous and will make you want the entire performance; fortunately, it's available from Opera Depot!

The only thing that would have made it better is a different tenor but Baum was always Baum. At least he had those high notes/Milanov is great!!