This delightful recording appeared on the Music and Arts label years ago. Dorati makes a few cuts that won't please Berlioz completists and places Ascanio's big solo piece in the third act rather than the fourth (that may have more to do with the edition used here). All the soloists are excellent. Lewis was a fine singer, not usually given to flaunting his voice, but Cellini calls for some of that and he is up to the task. Carlyle is a lovely Teresa and Veasey a first-rate Ascanio. John Cameron and Don Garrard are full of character in their roles and John Kentish is hilarious as the Innkeeper. Dorati conducts Berlioz's unusual opera with style and dash. The English translation takes some liberties with the French, insisting on rhyme over reason, but is clearly enunciated by the cast.The sound is very good though there is some occasional minor distortion around the voices in the latter half of the opera. The transfer level is very high so be prepared to turn down the volume!

Sorry I do not write well English, so I m writing in French, sorry.J'étais informé de l'existence de cette version considérée comme une référence, l'ayant trouvé sur Opéra Dépôt, je l'ai acheté. Cette interprétation mérite largement sa réputation. La direction d'Antal Dorati est la meilleure de toute la discographie : nerveuse, poétique, théâtrale, comique, il a tout compris à cette opéra, on découvre des aspects inconnus de la partition qui souligne et mette en valeur l'action théâtrale.Les chanteurs sont plutôt bons voir excellents avec évidement une prime pour la jeune -à l'époque- J.Veasey. Les chanteurs se sortent très bien de la partie dialogues parlés qui ne pèsent pas des plombes...Pour moi, la meilleure version avec celle de J.Pritchard et N.Gedda bien sur !

An excellent recording. Vivid conducting of Antal Dorati. BBC Symphony Orchestra in superb form. Lewis is very good in the title role. It is interesting how he manages the great aria Sur le monts. Carlyle amazing as Therese (just listen to first CD). Ward and Garrard and Veasey are all wonderful in their roles.