This is a generous selection (68 minutes) from a sound but hardly inspiring account of an old favourite. With Giulini's fresh look at the score still vividly etched in my mind (DG 411 355-1gh3, 11/84—it is soon due on CD), I found Davis's approach both a little light-weight and uninvolving. Giulini's cast is also the superior one; only ricciarelli really rivals her opposite number on the DG version, because she seems a more vulnerable and committed Leonora than Plowright, so I was sorry that her duet with Luna, one of the best bits of this set, is omitted from these highlights.
Toczyska's Azucena is well sung, but weak on words, Carreras a little over-parted, Mazurok dull. The CD sound is good, but not outstanding.'