The Padre is DON GARRARD (not 'Gerrard'). This wonderful, sonorous Canadian Bass gave us many fine performances at SW/ENO, WNO and at the Royal Opera. As a Padre who stands comparison with all the great names, he deserves to have his name recorded correctly!This is a wonderful performance - and Donald Smith is at his best here, whereas in the O/D Ernani, he is somewhat lacking in the full spinto/squillo department!

I AM INTRIGUED BY THE BONUS TRACKS (Disc 3, tracks 9-13), as they are not mentioned in the details/reviews page. Careful research draws a blank so can anyone come up with the venue, date and (presumably) Donald Smith's colleagues?

Sadlers Wells (now the English National Opera) had some formidable singers in its stable and here we get a great example of why they were so well-known. Pauline Tinsley is very fine Leonora - there's just nothing she can't handle in this music. Donald Smith shows why he had such a following with his sterling performance. His top, in particular, has plenty of "squillo" (ring) and excitement. Robert Bickerstaff, a fine Australian baritone, contributes an intense, almost frightening Don Carlo. He too sings splendidly with some Leonard Warren-like top notes. Joyce Blackham (who just passed away less than a week ago) sings Preziosilla's difficult music very capably. Don Gerrard lives up to his reputation and Derek Hammond Stroud is a funny Melitone. The sound is from a broadcast, a little muddy, but listenable - until the final three minutes (!) of the performance where some intermittent radio crackle intrudes (it doesn't cover the voices though). Maestro Balkwill conducts a well-paced performance of the entire score.Recommended to lovers of these singers or Forza in general!

I remember this performance well. Delighted to hear it again