Donizetti: Poliuto
"Poliuto is Donizetti's 57th opera and it contains some of his greatest music, including a procession and series of choruses to which Verdi paid homage in Aida... The opera is cut somewhat and a good deal of Callas' music is either simplified or eliminated, but what we get is still very special. Yes, there's a certain thickness of vocal delivery that comes and goes and some high notes are pretty wayward, but there's also much fine singing and singing-acting. Callas fans should own this. Franco Corelli was in full bloom at this point in his career and he partners Callas nicely and sings brilliantly in his solos. Ettore Bastianini's honeyed baritone has rarely been heard to better advantage. Antonino Votto leads a singer-driven performance. Recommended." - --Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com