Beecham rouses his forces to give a marvelous performance of Beethoven's only opera. All the soloists deliver in spades. Brouwenstijn is as superb here as she was in so many other roles, her top especially thrilling. Hopf may not be everyone's cup of tea, but this Florestan is one of the best things he ever did. Schoffler finds Pizarro's tessitura rather high by this point in his career yet he remains a formidable antagonist. Van Mill is a splendid Rocco and Chevaline and Dickie hold up their end as the downstairs couple. Angel Mattielo, a regular at the Teatro Colon, gives us a sturdy Ferdinand. The chorus sings very enthusiastically (in Italian, I think). The orchestra rises to the occasion of including the Leonore #3 and is greeted with the most vociferous applause of the evening. The sound is very good mono broadcast, but transferred from rather noisy acetates. Some one has gone to the trouble of pitching it all correctly though some of the sidejoins could have been more carefully done. None of this prevents enjoyment and all Fidelio or Beecham fans should get this.

Leonore - Gré Brouwenstijn Florestan - Hans Hopf Pizarro - Paul Schöffler Rocco - Arnold Van Mill Marzelline - Olga Chelavine Jaquino - Murray Dickie Fernando - Angel Mattiello Prisoners - Italo Pasini, Hector Barbieri.

Very good performance with very good singers. I have never heard Brouwenstijn and van Mill so good like here. Both of them made an excellent job and Brouwenstijn belongs with this production to the best Leonoras for all time. Hopf is terrific as Florestan only Vickers is better in this role. Schöffler was one of the greatest artists in this time and here he is also in good voice. Olga Chelavine is lovely as Marzellina. But the true hero of this evening is Beecham. He leads a fast performance. His Fidelio is 7 minutes shorter than Furtwaengler's commercial record which doesn't include the speech.Though his tempi are fast they are totally authentic. The overture and the Leonora No. 3 Overture are thrilling and fascinate. Due especially to Beecham this performance is an extraordinary experience.