This a a decent performance. Gencer fans will like her in this. For a non-commercial recording the sound is good.

Verdi's Vespri isn't performed often. It's very expensive to produce and the hot-blooded emotions are perhaps a little passe, but when given with a cast like this it is capable of stirring the emotions and packing a wallop. Gencer is simply thrilling as Elena. She is completely committed to the character, hurling out the coloratura defiantly, the stakes at their highest. She sings a less elaborate cadenza than Verdi's at the end of her Act Four aria and crowns the final trio with an impressive top C. She is magnificent, the very definition of a Verdi soprano.The men are equally good, if not as refined. Limarilli is just as involved as Gencer, his Act Four aria very passionate. Guelfi may not have elegance, but he knows how the character is supposed to go and unfailingly goes for it. Rossi-Lemeni is almost frightening in his implacability. The supporting cast is just as good as the principals. Gavazzeni provides terrific leadership, making only a few cuts.The sound is excellent throughout, the Pirate Gods smiling happily on this performance. If you love Verdi and/or Gencer, you must get this!

Listening to this performance I am once again stunned and disappointed that Gencer was so completely overlooked by the recording companies. Over the performance is heavily cut the sound quality is very good, and Gencer gives a lovely performance. Her voice is so rich she sounds like a mezzo in her opening lines, and yet she copes with all the demands of the role beautifully. I was reminded again of the way she makes singing sound so easy! Tenor Limarilli is completely new to me but I enjoyed his performance very much too. Gavazzeni whips the performance along, and the recording picks up the quality of the orchestral strings particularly nicely. Highly recommended.

it is very nice performance of I Vespri siciliani. Singers are very good. The same goes for orchestra and Gavazzeni. Perhaps Limarilli could do aria Girono di pianto better, but he is very nice in the duetto with Monforte in the first Act.

She was thrilling; took chances- and I loved her. Sad to see those who made the Golden Years of Opera leave us.Very nice gesture to offer this to us.