Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sang Micaela smashingly well for Solti's famous studio recording in the middle 70s after she had fully made the transition from mezzo to soprano. Here she is heard earlier in her career as a mezzo. Her Carmen is very seductive, very elegant, and rather lacking in fire. I've heard a number of Carmens overplay the final scene, but Te Kanawa so underplays it she almost disappears. Some of her line readings are almost casual (her final "Take it!" when she throws the ring away is a case in point). She also finds some of the music too low for comfort, avoiding the low A-flat at "Non, je ne te cederai pas!" She speaks the dialogue very convincingly though.That's right: this version uses the dialogue, but also most of the Oeser edition of the score as well. The often underrated Donald Smith fully justifies his reputation with his impassioned Don Jose. Elizabeth Hellawell sings Micaela's big aria extremely well with her lovely full tone and Paul Neal suits the macho Escamillo to a T. The supporting roles are all well done. Interestingly, Lillas Pastia is played by a woman. Conductor James Robertson gives Mercedes and Frasquita each a verse of the Gypsy Song that begins Act Two. The chorus and orchestra have a few rough moments here and there, but their enthusiasm is contagious, The sound is excellent, but the digital flaws in the performance's last 20 seconds(!) must stem from the master. Every copy I've heard of this performance has the same problem.