Too long overlooked, it is good to have Baker, Sills, and Gedda back in circulation, reminding us what a good recording this is. All three principals were intelligent singer/actors; they knew what they were singing in addition to knowing how to sing it. Patané’s conducting contributes to the overall success of this recording; there is a controlled tension that is evidenced from the beginning. The three principals recorded this opera well into their careers. It must be admitted that their voices no longer have the bloom of youth, but they remain firm and the singers bring great artistry and expertise to the roles. The principals who appear on the digitally recorded albums (Teldec & RCA) have the additional benefit of sounding suitably youthful, but fans of Baker, Sills, and Gedda should be pleased to have this recording available once again. It’s Baker’s show, and her peers provide a fine complement. The sound on this CD is greatly improved over the original LPs. They tended to sound veiled and subject to inner groove distortion, especially at the end of LP side 1.

EMI’s (Muti) recording has garnered both praise and criticism. His frenetic tempos may not be to everyone’s taste, some listeners may find they are not particularly expressive—just fast, and other listeners might find them exciting. The recording was made during performances at the Royal Opera House, where the microphones seem to have been placed at a considerable distance from the orchestra and even farther from the singers. Gruberova’s Giulietta and Balsta’s Romeo more than compensate for the less than ideal sound.

For an opera that was once sadly neglected, it’s good to have several outstanding recordings available. This EMI Patané/Sills/Baker/Gedda is also at a bargain price, which makes it a tempting first choice for folks on a tight budget and an affordable addition to a collection that already includes a favorite recording of I Capuleti. A libretto is not provided with the album, but text and an English translation can be found on EMI’s Web site.

David L. Kirk, FANFARE