"Volume 7 brings us halfway through Naxos’ chronological survey of Enrico Caruso’s complete recordings, focusing on material from 1912-13. The goods more or less divide evenly between operatic ensembles and lighter, semi-classical solo fare. At this juncture in his recording career, Caruso already had set down most of the solo arias from his principal operatic roles. But the Duke’s Act 3 aria from Verdi’s Rigoletto and Des Grieux’s Act 1 declaration of love from Puccini’s Manon Lescaut fill in at least two gaps, and the performances are characteristically ardent and impassioned. So is Verdi’s Act 3 trio from I Lombardi that opens the disc, featuring Frances Alda’s gorgeously equalized soprano voice blending in effortless accord with the tenor and Marcel Journet’s focused, supple bass...Ward Marston’s transfers maintain the high quality of the previous six volumes in this series. If you already own these, you know what to do."


Jed Distler - ClassicsToday.com