John Cragg | Delta(greater Vancouver), B.C Canada | 12/21/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The attrractions of this set are 1) it is a fine example of the four-square approach to Verdi still prevalent in the '50's, in many ways rendered here at its best; and 2) splendid singing by the main characters, the soprano Anita Cerquetti and tenor Pier Miranda Ferraro. Judged by this performance, they could hold their own with most of their contemporaries. The sound, for a live recording made fifty years ago, is not bad, only occasionally does one have the feeling that the soloists are singing into a half full rain barrel and sometimes the relative miking of the performers is bothersome. The producers obviously do not expect this to be one's main recording of La Forza. The booklet contains the cast and the list of tracks and virtually nothing else, though the box does mention the exact date of the performance. Overall, an enlightening version of the opera which is artistically more than a match for many others still prominent in the catalogue."
Track Listings (23) - Disc #1