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Title: Go for the highlights version
Review: Unless you are a diehard total opera fanatic, I recommend the highlights version of this Giulini version. The singers are superb, the sound is great for the period, the orchestra is great - but. Two discs worth of recititavo for less than one discs worth of really beautiful arias and duets, etc. simply isn't worth the price. Calling this the greatest opera is a stretch - must be a Mozart lover. Bellini's Norma and Donizetti's Lucia with either Sutherland (where she has much more extensive parts to display her lovely, incomprehensible voice) or Callas are far better, along with many Verdi works. Don Giovanni is a massive work, but melodious content is a small part of it. Good story - some great singing - all of it on the highlights disc.
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