This recording has a story cast. Antonetta Stella's voice was one of the most popular in the operatic world during the 50's, but her big luscious sound here seems a little too spinto for the virginal Luisa.Her hysterical lover Rodolfo is Guiseppe Di Stefano. Although in 1963 nearing the end of his recording career he sings with his customary slancio, warm tone and clear diction, if occasionally his top note sound worn.Cornell McNeil sings Millar, here a few years before he recorded the role for RCA. He is a mature rich toned Millar.Raffaelle Arie is impressive as Walter and Enrico Campi a dark threatening Wurm.The disappointment of the recording is the decimation of the role of Frederica. A musical and dramatic travesty, particularly as the Frederica is Oralia Dominguez. Her role has been reduced to the point of making her a cipher, which begs the question: "why did she bother?"The sound is very good

I was surprised by the tempi throughout the performance. It was more measured and monumental than I have been used to in the past. Maestro Sanzogno conducts in a manner that reminds me of DeFabritis and Erede. Erede's performance from 1974 Vienna is very slow in some spots, yet the tempi here did not inhibit the singers. In fact, it seemed to release them in a way that gave them plenty of space to really dig deeply into their roles. The audience adored Stella and di Stefano, and I do love their work here too. Shades of the old 1951 Cetra recording, there is no duet between Federica and Rodolfo in Act 1 scene 2. The chorus comes on with a snap and bounce and then the audience applauds as the scene is over! Very strange, especially considering how wonderful Oralia Dominguez is in the part. Her work in Act 2 is wonderful. The a capella quartet is compelling in a way I rarely have heard. The 3rd act is just WONDERFUL. They are chewing the scenery with every phrase to compelling effect. The sectional approach to the duets gave me a different idea of their structure and I appreciated that much. Both basses, Arie and Campi are terrific. I love their voices and their compelling characterizations. And then there is the magnificent Cornell MacNeil. He has a tremendous performance all the way through. GET THIS ONE.