And, I’m here to tell you the reputation is more than deserved, as this video ought to show.

This shot at Vespri—or as fletcher would prefer it, Les vêpres siciliennes—has an incredible cast. Merritt and Zancanaro giving each other hell as father and son is dynamite on the screen and between your headphones. As for Cheryl Studer, she’s good I guess, sorry, but I never really notice her here. It’s all about the men, most notably a ferocious Furlanetto as Procida.

This is my pick for Verdi’s most underrated opera!