Marina Krilovici, Franco Bonisolli, Ingvar Wixell
Horst Stein

Wiener Staatsoper
October 5, 1977

OD 10461-2

The bad news first.  Despite a promising start in 1977, Marina Krilovici has trouble maintaining the pitch and the top is very tentative (for those who aren't familiar with her, she also shared the distinction of being the wife of Kostas Paskalis.)  The true star is Franco Bonisolli.  He was at the stage of his career in which he was starting to take on some of the larger roles while able to maintain the lyricism of his earlier days (remember that he debuted at the Met as the Count in the Barber of Seville.)  Ingvar Wixell sings Scarpia.  It is always nice to hear a true baritone sing this role especially one that can be truly menacing in the part.  Horst Stein shows that he is perfectly comfortable outside of the German repertoire.  The sound is fair.