Nicoletta Mantovani

Bizet: Carmen
$20.98
Placido Domingo, Adriana Maliponte, Jose Van Dam and Georges Pretre all recorded this opera commercially - two of them several times - so the interest in this recording lies with Fiorenza Cossotto. Her interpretation is quite standard; she ignites no sparks and brings no new insights to the part. Her voice is a little brighter than many people may be used to in their gypsy seductress but there is nothing really to complain about.
The sound is standard for a live recording of the 1970s. It improves with repeated listenings. The version uses the traditional Guiraud recitatives instead of spoken dialog.
All in all, unless you're a diehard Cossotto fan, there is little reason to purchase this. Go for one of the inexpensive commerical recordings.