Despite being in Russian, this is an excellent performance. I was initially drawn to it for the Leonore of Galina Vishnevskaya, and she does not disappoint, combining Mozartian smoothness with the ability to switch into overdrive when needed. The rest of the cast proves equally impressive, with a compelling Florestan and a noteworthy Marzelline. Adding to its brilliance, the performance is superbly conducted by Alexander Melik-Pashayev, whose reading of the overture nearly bursts with exuberance.