Gilda isn't a role for for canaries, per se. Please understand that the role of Gilda was written in mind for a character who was, at the same time both rebellious and innocent. Callas portrayed these colors very well, and to have someone say that she sounds old is an insult. Joan Sutherland, if I believe, is the one who sounds more like a 35 year old woman, and in terms of looks, I think it was Callas who looked more convincing if you put her in Gilda's costume than if the junoesque Sutherland did. And Sutherland's diction made her sound even more matrimonly. Callas could easily sing Gilda around Dame Joan. And as for di Stefano? What a great Duke! At least his voice is so much better than Pavarotti's cow bawling. And of course, we have the greatest Rigoletto on record--Tito Gobbi.