Description:

Pros:

• Despite its short-comings as far as the sound goes, this recording offers a dream-cast for lovers of this opera.
• In the title role, Leonie Rysanek is radiant.
• James McCracken’s burly tenor was remarkably secure when it came to lyrical singing (it is a shame his aria is not included in this recording.)
• Hans Hotter offers an understated yet terrifying Pizzaro.
• Despite being put in the awkward position of having to pretend to be in love with her sister, Lotte Rysanek nonetheless delivers the vocal goods as Marzelline.
• Paul Schöffler makes an impactful cameo as Don Fernando.

Cons:

• As alluded to before, the sound is far from ideal.
• To make matters worse there are two patches of skipping. Normally I would have excised the offending sections, but the singing is just too good.

In Mono

OD 11659-1