OK... if you are going to listen to opera Puccini is a GREAT place to start. If you are going to listen to Puccini some of the best are here. Bergonzi's Che gelida manina is shimmering, likewise Domingo's Donna Non Vidi Mai is remarkable in its depth and beauty. NO ONE touches Tebaldi or Freni in Puccini rolse and like wise they both shine. I have about 3 recordings of Freni doing Manon Lescaut and she is UNSURPASSED (recording or live and I saw her at the MET!) Despite some rather odd choices like Carreras (who always sounds like someone beat the Chihuahua and made it SCREEEEEAM) and Katia Ricciarelli (AS TURANDOT - who is she kidding?) the CD is GREAT MUSIC and a great way to capture the beauty that is Puccini