This is another Sleeper in Opera Depot's catalogue. Elena Mauti-Nunziata had very little, if any, commercial recording career so her live performances are treasured among collectors and this is one of her best. She just sings so beautifully. There is no sense that she is straining to produce a bigger sound than Nature gave her, she is equal to all of Verdi's challenges. Her coloratura in Act One is expressive and encompasses all the written top notes (she doesn't try for an E-flat.) She and Sardinero perform the Second Act duet memorably although their pitch slides a bit in the unaccompanied section towards the end. Moreover, she makes Violetta so appealing that it's all the more heartbreaking when the penicillin fails to arrive in the last act. Kraus is a superb Alfredo who actually registers as a person for once rather than a plot device. He adds several high Cs too. Sardinero is a manly, handsomely sung Germont, but his big aria is spoiled by flaws in the original master tape. The supporting cast includes Juan Pons as the Marchese. Balagna's tempos are a little slow in places (Flora's party), but considerate of his singers. The sound is generally very good, notwithstanding a pervasive hum, particularly noticeable during softer moments. It's not that disturbing though and the ear filters it out.Recommended to all Traviata lovers and/or fans of these singers!

taking into account that the recording is old, the sound is more than acceptable. Kraus unsurpassed as always