The title-role is a gift for an accomplished tenor: Carreras catches the moral fervour and uncertainties of the part with his open-hearted, spontaneous performance, another in a gallery that is beginning, in perspective, to place him in a high place among Verdi tenors on record. As Lina, who is—as RO averred in his original review—"torn between steadfastness and vulnerability", Sylvia Sass also offers a rewarding performance, alternating delicacy with fiery strength, though technically she isn't always as secure as one might ideally wish. Manuguerra is appropriately venomous as Stankar but his voice hasn't any particular distinction, tending to sound nasal, nor has his reading much individuality, but he is never less than adequate.

Gardelli here adds another vital performance to his long series of Verdi readings even if he isn't quite as alert as in his London-made sets, possibly because the recording has somewhat less clarity and the Austrian Radio orchestra is not that acute. But any reservations pale before the importance of the work in hand to all Verdians, and enough is achieved to prove its worth. Besides, it is an essential purchase for Carreras enthusiasts.

-- Gramophone [3/1990]

Includes full libretto.