Verdi: Rigoletto

The superb American baritone Sherrill Milnes is synonymous with the operas of Verdi. As a young singer, before reaching the Metropolitan and building a major international reputation, he compelled attention at New York City Opera. That company, run for many years by conductor Julius Rudel, provided the foundation for the stellar careers of both soprano Beverly Sills and bass Samuel Ramey. When these four artists gathered in London in 1978 to record this gripping Rigoletto, they were joined by the Spaniard Alfredo Kraus, an aristocrat among lyric tenors.