While not a life changing performance, this Ballo gives us Swedish soprano Catarina Ligendza in a role not composed by Wagner or Strauss. I don't know how much Verdi Ligendza sang, but she handles Amelia's music with a finesse and style I didn't know she possessed. She has no trouble with any of the high notes and sings the long phrases with beauty and ease. Did she ever sing Aida? Is there a recording of that? I'd love to hear it.Cossutta is heard in one of his best roles and fully justifies his considerable reputation. Wixell is good though I wonder if he wasn't slightly indisposed on this occasion. As Andy points out above, there isn't a lot of bloom on top and I've heard other performances of his that contradict that. Cuccaro is an excellent Oscar, both of whose arias get applause in the middle. Either the audience wasn't familiar with the score or they really liked her (possibly both.) Randova is an exciting Ulrica whose uses her chest voice more than I've ever heard her do; don't get in her way! The two conspirators are very strong as is a young George Fortune as Silvano. Maazel leads a solid performance without his usual mannerisms.The tape source is from an in-house tapist who is occasionally a little fidgety. The voices are heard clearly, but those used to closely miked broadcasts may not enjoy the experience.

Here comes the complete cast:Riccardo: Carlo CossuttaAmelia: Catarina LigendzaRenato: Ingvar WixellUlrica: Eva RandovaOscar: Costanza CuccaroSilvano: George FortuneSamuel: Tomislav NeralicTom: Ivan SardiGiudice: Leopold ClamServo d'Amelia: Robert KoffmaneChor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper BerlinConductor: Lorin Maazel