"This performance is great in every way apart from Dessi's Nedda. Her voice is strained in the upper registers, and this is really apparent in "Stridono lassu" where she has problems hitting the high notes clearly. The result is a rather rough performance all around. Pavarotti of course is in fine voice and sings "Vesti la giubba" beautifully. The supporting cast is excellent with some great work from the chorus. The orchestra under Muti plays well and the sound is excellent. It's a shame this recording doesn't have a stronger Nedda or it would definitely get 5 stars."
Stunning preformance, great digital sound!
Vladas Mazelis | Port Richey, FL USA | 12/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fantastic performance, top quality sound. Pavarotti in his top form. Daniela Dessi sings in an exceptionally colorful, emotionally rich manner, while maintaining a very precise, perfect pitch at all times. Juan Pons sounds better than when heard live at the Met - here he seems to have a more powerful baritone than when sounding live. And yes, he's presenting a very expression-rich, dynamic performace, as usual, and as one would expect from a top notch vocalist singing this verismo masterpiece. I own about a dozen recordings of I Pagliacci and this one is my most favorite of them all."