Description:

Given the glamor and savagery of Puccini’s Turandot, one would think that it would be a mainstay in the repertoire of Georg Solti. Strangely enough this is the only Solti Turandot I have ever come across. Not surprisingly, Solti creates a performance explosive both in the raw expressionism of the work and, of course, in Puccini’s sublime lyricism. The cast features some excellent choices including the Turandot of Christel Goltz, whose steely yet glamorous soprano conveys all the coldness and brutality of the titular role. Hans Hopf seems to relish the opportunity to sing in the Italianate style and delivers some surprisingly good high notes. Teresa Stich-Randall is an ethereal Liù. The sound is good.

OD 10751-2