Listen to a Sample:

The performance of Bluebeard's Castle features the great bass, David Ward, in the title role. He is joined by Evelyn Lear.  Both of them deliver their lines with crisp diction and convey the mystery of Bartok's score. One can look at the orchestra as the third and possibly most important character of the piece as it is responsible for creating the mood and atmosphere in a way that other operas do not demand of the pit.  To this point, Pierre Boulez leads a very descriptive and haunting performance.  The sound is as good as it gets.

OD 10529-1