Excellent for its age.

Nikolai Chiaurov was the pre eminent bass in the world at the time of this performance. His massive voice makes him a powerful presence as Mefistofele, one of his signature roles. There is no overt “acting” with Chiaurov. The voice give us everything.Maria Chiara, also here at the height of her career possessed a beautiful lyric spinto voice, technically secure. She is an affecting Margherita. Her act 3 aria is very fine.Ion Buzea has an attractive voice and is a poetic Faust. He does become rather swamped in the epilogue. The rest of the cast is very good with a fruity voiced Elena.The sound is excellent

The first thing we hear on this recording is the British radio announcer telling us the performance at hand is borrowed from Austrian radio. He gives a quick synopsis of the prologue and we're off!The singers are all excellent in this concert performance. Buzea is probably not well-known over here in the States, but he appeared in a number of complete Italian opera recordings made in Romania with Romanian singers, including Virginia Zeani (Traviata). He is a very good Faust too. Ghiaurov is in his freshest voice here and is a commanding presence throughout. Chiara and Hayashi are excellent. Hayashi makes more of Elena than most singers. She ducks an optional low note in her aria, but thrills us with a sterling top C in the ensuing ensemble. Chiara sings sweetly and sorrowfully as Margarita. The chorus work - so important in this opera - is superb. Quadri leads a beautiful, well-paced performance. The sound is excellent. Highly recommended to Mefistofele fans! This may not be a work of genius, but it is very entertaining and has some musically sublime passages.

This is a wonderful performance. The sound is good, the musical performance is full and exciting under Argeo Quadri, and the 4 leading roles are well taken. Hayashi is lovely as Elena, Chiara is a very communicative, involved performer and it is nice to have more than is commercially available from her. Buzea is a solid Faust and Ghiaurov is superb as Mefistofele. This was caught at the height of his vocal powers. Excellent!