Terrific performance. Early Scotto at her VERY best and what a treat to have the under-recorded and top-line Aragall

Here we have what I like to call a "fun" performance of Rigoletto. We have three terrific leads, a good supporting cast, an idiomatic conductor, and a lively, participating audience. Everybody is having a good time.Aragall is a smashing Duke with few of the intonation problems that would plague him later on in his career. His top is effortless. He joins Scotto on a great D-flat at the end of the "Addio, addio" cabaletta and sings an endless B at the end of "La donna e mobile". The audience is so taken with him they demand and get an encore of it. Scotto sings very well though her cadenza to "Caro nome" is less smooth than on other occasions. Cappuccilli is in fine form, giving the Arena audience its money's worth. What a pity the end of "Tutte le feste" and the entire "Piangi, fanciulla" duet is missing. We do get the concluding "Si, vendetta" though and the two singers sell it in the best bravura fashion.The sound is pitched correctly and is listenable though a little murky. The audience sometimes applauds for high notes or a well-sung phrase. Not an only or a first Rigoletto, but very enjoyable!

Grabación inedita (o muy poco conocida) del mejor Aragall posible.

It must be heard just for the singers.