What's especially remarkable about this prized 1934 recording, aside from the glowing beauty of the voice and the impeccable style, is the sense that Lauri-Volpi is actually improvising the aria as he goes along — just as the dramatic situation requires. I fell into a YouTube Chénier-athon after watching Héctor Sandoval's very honorable account of the role on a new Unitel DVD, from the Bregenz Festival.
Update: Lisa Hirsch hits back with Martinelli.
