LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Milanov, Del Monaco, Warren (1953) (CD)

Recorded in New Orleans in 1953, this legendary production was performed only twice. As presented here, Acts I* and II are from the performance of March 14, 1953, Act III is from the performance of March 12, 1953, with highlights from Acts I and II of the latter included on a bonus disc.
[2006, Mono, 3-CD, 219 minutes]

LA FORZA DEL DESTINO
Opera in Three Acts*
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

* Originally in four acts, Act I here conflates the original's first two, cutting the Inn Scene

Cast:
Leonora - Zinka Milanov
Don Alvaro - Mario del Monaco
Don Carlo - Leonard Warren
Padre Guardiano - William Wilderman
Preziosilla - Claramae Turner
Marquis of Calatrava - Norman Treigle
Fra Melitone - Gerhard Pechner
Curra - Rosemary Rotolo
A Surgeon - Donald Bernard
A Begger Woman - Lydia Neuman

Orchestra and Chorus of the New Orleans Opera
Walter Herbert, conductor