Il Trovatore

Verdi's Il Trovatore premiered on this day in 1853.  It's musically rich score hides an absurd plot that admittedly is hard to resist.  Containing many of Verdi's most popular melodies, it's quite a star vehicle for any voice type.

There are many great recordings of Trovatore, however I must admit to an indulgence towards the old classic pictured above, the vintage Decca stereo potboiler with Del Monaco, Tebaldi and Simionato in their prime.

I know I've posted Del Monaco singing Di Quella Pira before, he is simply my favourite Manrico, I can't help it.  And here he is again, incredibly young and gorgeous...that voice, those tights!