The Forza Leonora was always one of Tebaldi's greatest roles. This performance, recorded the year before her famous studio recording, finds her in terrific voice. Her top notes emerge with confidence and her characterization is passionate; she bares her soul to us in a way that would be almost unthinkable today.Penno is just as ardent as Alvaro. His voice tends to tightness on top and he never had the most beautiful tone, but it works in this highly charged music. Manca Serra is good as Carlo though he doesn't really stand out. After a few moments of questionable intonation, Neri sounds like what one imagines God would sound like. He and Tebaldi deliver an exciting performance of their big duet. Meletti is funny as Melitone, Pirazzini is an adequate Preziosilla who ducks most of her high Bs. I wish we knew who the Marquis and the Mayor were; they're excellent. Santini's tempi tend to drag.Most of the time the sound is rough and ready though correctly pitched. Honesty demands I admit that there are some painful moments mostly in the third act where the worn tape becomes frustrating. There is also some missing music including the last couple of minutes of "La vergine degli angeli" and the first six minutes of Act 4; all the traditional cuts are taken.For fans of the singers who can tolerate less than good sound.