I agree with most of the comments but -like several enthusiasts- am unhappy with the extensive cuts...if you're doing Troyens, then DO IT! I also find Pretre too fast. Next to Colin Davis and Kubelik, for example, he's very insensitive. Three stars, then, mainly for the soloists.Now, specially for 'Jeffrey K.', here's the rest of the main cast (which I discovered with a little research). I agree that we should know as many of the singers as possible...sorry to be over four years' late, Jeffrey!Panthee: Robert Amis El HageAnna: Giovanna FioroniNarbal: Boris Carmeli [access his Wikipedia entry for a most startling life story!]Hector's Ghost: Federico DaviaHylas: Carlo GaifaTrojan Soldier: Renato BorgatoGreek Chief: Teodoro Rovetta...and that's about all I can find; hope it's helpful!

I am a bit biased since I love Nikolai Gedda being Swedish, but the performance and the recording was marvellous.

This is a terrific performance. All the singing is excellent as is Pretre's conducting. The cuts do not disfigure the performance. It's wonderful to hear Gedda, Horne, and Verrett in these roles with which they are not regularly associated. It would be nice to know the rest of the cast as Narbal, Panthee, and Hylas are not credited and are quite good. I'm glad I finally caught up with this recording.

This was brilliantly cast with Horne and Verett really well contrasted as Cassandra and Dido. They are both exceptional. Gedda's ease in a difficult role almost conventionalises it; he turns the conflicted hero so thrillingly sung by Vickers and Heppner into a 19th century French Tenor. But it's a legitimate take on the role, and sets it within the tradition. The under-rated Massard is also first rate. I am used to Colin Davis' approach to Berlioz and Pretre is a bit slacker rhythmically, generally less dramatic and severe in his view. Berlioz' roots in Gluck are pretty much ignored. But he doesn't prevent the singers from doing a great job and the orchestra plays well enough.

BEST LES TROYENS

It was a really great performance by an all star cast!

New to Opera Depot and have really loved the three recordings I’ve purchased. One quibble: it would have been helpful if Les Troyens came with a listing of the tracks.