Bizet: Carmen - Obraztsova, King, Lotte Rysanek, Manuguerra, Zednik, Miljakovic; Guadagno. Wien, 1975

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It's hard to believe that in Vienna during the 1970s it was common to hear performances with casts of this caliber. Yes, the performances were often under-rehearsed and far from musically perfect, but the freedom from a cohesive musical and dramatic dictate gave these great artists a chance to bring a sense of improvisation to the proceedings which often elevated the overall artistic level.
Elena Obraztsova's ample mezzo scales back effortlessly for the seductive moments and can then turn on a dime, releasing torrents of sound. One has to give her credit for singing the descending chromatic scale in the "Habanera" so well in tune.
James King was the right choice as Obraztsova's Don José. A lesser tenor would have been lost next to her, but he more than holds his own without shortchanging any of the lyrical moments.
Lotte Rysanek' Micaëla is radiant.
In their brief moment in Act I, the Vienna Boy's Choir demonstrates why they are the greatest children's chorus in the world.