Made in Rome in July 1952, a year after the equally acclaimed La bohème (Naxos 8.110252–53) and Madama Butterfly (Naxos 8.110254–55), this recording features a dazzling array of some of the finest Italian singers. The great, peerless lirico spinto soprano, Renata Tebaldi is here partnered for the first time with the tenor, Mario del Monaco, who possessed one of the most thrilling and powerful natural voices. They are arguably in fresher voice than in their later stereo remake. The finest Italian mezzo-soprano of her generation, Ebe Stignani is fondly remembered for her stage appearances with Maria Callas in Norma and Callas and Jussi Björling in Il trovatore.