There are many available recordings of Verdis Un Ballo in Maschera on the market, including some very fine performances, but all lack the one outstanding element present in this live 1957 performance: the unforgettably creamy voice of soprano Anita Cerquetti, a superb singer in an era of competing, remarkable voices, whose all too-short career will forever be lamented by those whove heard her voice. Featured alongside Ms. Cerquetti are Gianni Poggi, Ettore Bastianini and Ebe Stignani, amongst others. Emidio Tieri conducts the Orchestra & Coro del Teatro Comunale di Firenze.