This recording represents the Royal Opera's first attempt at Benvenuto Cellini without all the usual cuts and modifications (there are several different versions). Dialogue is included (spoken very well by the cast) and a fuller representation of the score, particularly in Act Two. The singers are terrific. Gedda sounds like the role of Cellini could've been written for him. He has all the style and vocal suavity needed and presents the feisty, somewhat amoral hero effectively. Elizabeth Vaughn is equally good as Teresa. Joan Carlyle on the Dorati recording (also available on Opera Depot) has the sweeter sound, but Vaughn is more convincing as the passionate young woman who dares all for her love. Yvonne Minton is an audience favorite as Ascanio, well-applauded for her last act aria. Robert Massard makes Fieromosca likable and David Ward is a formidable Pope. John Lanigan performs the politically incorrect role of the Innkeeper with panache. Pritchard leads with more spirit than he usually did. I'm glad he advocated a more complete edition of Berlioz's brilliant, if overly complex score.Except for a few fleeting tape glitches, the sound is very clear and listenable. Berlioz fans should have this performance.

Opera Depot has three great recordings of this work, but this is my favorite. It's wonderful to hear Gedda on such great form, and always a pleasure to hear Elizabeth Vaughan singing anything at all - I saw her so often at the Welsh National Opera and never heard a less than excellent performance from her. Pritchard conducts with great energy and panache. A great opera house, with a brilliant cast, performing an absolutely wonderful work.

Benvenuto Cellini is so rarely performed in opera houses that I fear people will think it is a flawed work. Absolutely not , but it does require an outstanding tenor and here Gedda is truly fine. He is partenered by the wonderful Elizabeth Vaughan whose full toned Theresa is well captured on the recording. Yvonne Minton is splendid as is all the supporting cast & Covent Garden company under the direction of John Pritchard. Well worth investigating if this Berlioz work is new to you.

To put across Berlioz's picaresque tale of the great Roman sculptor, Covent Garden reached out to the best available French singers (particularly Robert Massard) as well drawing from the rich resources of its own company -- Yvonne Minton is a standout. And as Cellini, Nicolai Gedda has a role that suits him to the ground. John Pritchard's conducting may some rather slam-bang to those accustomed to the Colin Davis style of Berlioz but the excitement leading up to climactic casting of Perseus is undeniable.

A great souvenir of those fantastic Covent Garden years. A fine cast delivering Berlioz' opera, with Gedda in particular in great shape.

A great performance from everybody. Gedda is in far better form than on his commercial recording and the unjustly little recorded Vaughan is a delight as Teresa. The opera is absolutely complete as well. Unmissable.