Luciano Pavarotti sang the role of Arturo in I Puritani only very rarely. By the late 1970s, the very highest notes were somewhat beyond him, but here he and his Elvira, Mirella Freni, are almost up to their roles' demands. Freni was not a born Elvira--she's a lyric soprano with some coloratura ability rather than the true coloratura with all the needed very high notes (her top Ds are tentative)--but she's vocally at her freshest and emotionally most communicative. Her Elvira is a lovely creation. Pavarotti sings with grace, ease and, when needed, with great power. Riccardo Muti allows him to bend the vocal line in a somewhat verismo manner, but it's still a fine, gleaming performance. Sesto Bruscantini and Bonaldo Giaiotti are splendid, particularly in their rousing Act II duet. Muti's leadership is lacking energy at times, but, criticisms aside, this is a satisfying set. --Robert Levine