Maurizio Piacenti

Manfred, backed by Saracen pirates, deposes the Duke of Montfort, takes over the throne and kidnapped the Duke's young son. Capt. Riccardo, the leader of a pirate band on the ship Black Hawk, sets out to defeat Manfred and his Saracens and restore the Duke to his rightful place on the throne.

Musical - Soprano Anna Moffo stars as winsome courtesan Violetta Valery -- who tries to protect her rash lover, Alfredo (Franco Bonisolli), even if it means lying and breaking his heart -- in this 1968 version of composer Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece. Recorded at the Rome Opera House with renowned conductor Giuseppe Patanè leading the orchestra and chorus, the production also stars Gino Bechi as Alfredo's angst-ridden father. - Anna Moffo, Gino Bechi, Franco Bonisolli