Listen to a Sample:

Pros:

• Maria Reining may be the perfect Ariadne. Her ample soprano soars without the slightest trace of a hard edge. Richard Strauss, who was in the audience for this performance as it was marked the occasion of his 80th birthday, must have been thrilled with her.
• Irmgard Seefried, as the Composer, comfirms what I already knew about this role: it is much better in the hands of a soprano (I'm pretty sure Strauss knew this as well, having cast Lotte Lehmann in this role at the premiere.)
• Alda Noni is a delightful Zerbinetta. She brings a lovely soubrette quality without ever sounding too "chirpy" and her voice opens up nicely when the music calls for it.
• Personally, I have never really cared for Max Lorenz's sound, but you can't deny that this man could sing. He makes this "voice-killer" of a role seem almost easy.

Cons:

• None to mention.

In Mono

OD 12013-2