Despite the attractions of a stellar cast this recording should be avoided; it's pitched over a semi-tone flat such that when I first heard it I couldn't work out why the singers didn't sound like themselves - until I realised the problem. Clearly, too, the whole thing must be too slow if the pitch has sagged. Better to go with the alternative Opera d'Oro recording with the same two great tenors and the same conductor but with Rinaldi as good as Scotto. The sound is much better on the latter, in any case. This sometimes happens with Opera d'Oro; you win some...but at their prices it's churlish to moan - I just wish they'd take more care with some of their re-mastering.
