I believe this performance is from the autumn of 1970. During the autumn 1971 run of performances at the New York City Opera, Treigle and Neblett performed the roles they sing here, but not together, according to an on-line source, and the performance of November 7, 1971, included only Neblett among the three listed principals. Also, according to the same source, Theyard did not sing in this work during the autumn 1971 run at all. Mefistofele opened the NYCO season in September 1970 without Theyard, but, according to the New York Times, he performed the role of Faust later in the run, and definitely sang the role on October 8, 1970, with Treigle and Neblett, and, perhaps, on other dates that autumn.

The obvious reason for this release was the Margarita/Elena of the 25 year old Carol Neblett. She is indeed terrific, girlish and hopeful as Margarita with the coloratura and trills of "L'altra notte" characterfully despatched, and then sensuous and tragic as Elena. Harry Theyard is also tremendously good as Faust, interpolating a strong top C at the end of his duet with Mefistofele in their first scene and then providing ardent vocalism in Act Four.Yet Norman Treigle's force of personality can be heard clearly in every scene he's in. Listen to his snide, contemptuous sarcasm in the Prologue or his howls of despair as he desperately tries to win over Faust in the final scene. The rest of the cast is equally good with Bernard Fitch standing out again as Wagner. Rudel leads a white-hot performance, preserved in good sound. Sometimes the voices get a little recessed when they're upstage, but most of the big moments are right on mic.Thank you for making this available, Opera Depot!