It may have been the most modern production that I had ever seen up to that point in my opera going career (five years beginning in San Francisco). But Verdi superb score was new to New Yorkers. For the most part the cast was thrilling. I saw it two more times that season and revisited it with Christina Deutekom and Renata Scotto in thrilling revivals.

There was one set throughout the production in colors of black, gray and some brown. That set was dominated by stairs that encompassed the width of the great Met stage. Caballé, though costumed flatteringly, constantly went up and down the stairs of that production and yet, she was unstoppable. The audience went crazy for her. Nicolai Gedda huffed and puffed his way through the tenor role of Arrigo, and was not successful, Sherrill Milnes was outstanding as Monforte. Levine‘s control of the Met Orchestra was total. That Vespri opening night revealed a score that was an absolute masterpiece.