There are so many fine Pagliaccis available that this one really should have something great to offer if it is to compete. But, alas, it does not. Even fans of the stentorian Richard Tucker, though probably excited and pleased by his stunning version of the great showpiece “Vesti la giubba”, are bound to be horrified by his sobbing excesses and sheer vulgarity elsewhere in the opera. Granted, Canio is driven mad by jealousy but he isn’t necessarily driven to bad taste, as he is here. The soprano Mietta Sighele, otherwise unknown, is a very fine Nedda, singing with conviction and pleasing tone; but baritone Kari Nurmela simply lacks the real Italianate voice needed for Tonio’s music. Riccardo Muti leads a let-the-tenor-do-what-he-wants performance–probably the only time in his career. Skip this unless you really love Tucker.
