Great performances. Carreras doe nor disappoint. Caballé is perfect in the role. She surprises in Verdi roles. Sound is very good. to excellent.

Were it not for file corruption in the last track of a very crowded first CD this Ballo could be recommended with minor reservations. One's spirits drop at the sight of Francesco Molinari-Pradelli on the podium but he is on his best behavior, conducting with unwonted muscularity. Montserrat Caballé's Amelia finds her in droopy form. Scotto or Price are needed. But Renato Bruson, so oft found on autopilot, delivers a pointed and fierce Renato without sacrificing tonal smoothness. Speaking of suavity, José Carreras is at his golden-voiced best, a Gustavo few could surpass. Margherita Guglielmi's Oscar sparkles magnificently but Ruza Baldani is past the point of doing justice to Ulrica.

This is one of those La Scala performances where the audience is as much a part of the show as the official performers. Caballe and Carreras are in fantastic form and the audience loves them. After the second act duet there is an ovation that turns into something else - I'm not sure what. These are passionate opera lovers and they're not hesitant in expressing themselves!The rest of the cast is equally good. The sound is listenable, the singers a little recessed. My copy had some mild clicking in the last track of the first disc. "Ballo" lovers should get this.

This is certainly a starry affair and generally speaking delivers on nearly every level. Caballe and Carreras are characterful presences and sing with generous phrasing and luscious tone. Bruson is somewhat rougher as Renato, some of his higher notes need more support and his phrasing could be fuller; he is not a particularly vital actor, but Eri tu goes well and he works well with Caballe and Carreras. Generally excellent sound (sometimes favouring the orchestra a little too much) and good supporting performances make for an enjoyable performance.

Talk about an on night at LaScala! A breathtaking performance with Caballe at the top of her unmatched form (see Andy's comment), and Carreras - well, performances like his on this night don't come around very often.