An outdoor performance of Rigoletto at the Arena di Verona is probably one of the last places you would expect to find Verdi at his absolute best. However, on this occasion, the Veronese public was treated to three young singers destined for greatness and some Verdi singing that would rival the finest in history. Piero Cappuccilli makes the daunting title role seem almost effortless, excelling equally in the lyrical and dramatic passages. His "Veglia, o donna" is particularly breathtaking—and doubly impressive as it is performed without the standard cut.

Renata Scotto approaches perfection as Gilda, offering a shimmering "Caro nome" and a taste of the spinto side of her voice during the storm scene. She is well matched by Jaime Aragall, who sings the Duke with youthful abandon without ever sounding coarse. His "La donna è mobile" brings down the house (or amphitheater, in this case), and he even capitulates with an encore. Oliviero De Fabritiis favors a more leisurely pace, which benefits the singers, and the string section contributes some remarkably fine playing.