Description Okay, I admit, this is one of my favorite operas....and this performance from March of 1973 with Raina Kabaivanska in her prime and Placido Domingo in his youth is really something! Eve Queler conducts the Opera Orchestra of New York. Kabaivanska, of course, is Francesca and Placido is Paolo. Other members of the cast include Matteo Manuguerra as Gianciotto, Nuccio Saetta as Malatestino, Carole Waters as Smaragdi, and Barbara Hoffman as Samaritana. Jascha Silberstein plays the viola pomposa. The accompanying booklet has background information and the complete sung Italian text with English translation. This handsome boxed set was put out by the BJRS label. The records are in excellent condition; they've been in a closet for over 20 years. If you love wildly Romantic opera....on vinyl...you can't go wrong with this set. Good price. Free shipping in U.S.