Carol Neblett had an amazingly mature voice for her age when she did this performance (she was all of 24) and her dramatic instincts were just as keen. She has everything one could ask for as Marguerite, including an excellent trill for the Jewel Song. Her shriek at the end of the Church Scene is just as primal as her final words to Faust. She is reason enough to acquire this set But the other singers are also very good, if not as distinctive as Neblett. Di Virgilio doesn't have the most melting timbre, but he has a strong voice with plenty of top to spare. In "Salut, demeure" he is the only tenor I've heard receive applause for his beautifully taken top C just after he finishes singing it - this from a NYCO audience, most of whom should've known better. Smith is a good Mephistopheles without being particularly distinguished in the role. He does a lot of shouting and evil chuckling, probably in a vain attempt to match Norman Treigle (who can be heard on two other Opera Depot releases of this opera). Thomas Jamerson is a first-rate Valentin, one of those very capable singers who never really made the Big Time. Kay Creed is fine Siebel. Wilson leads an exciting performance preserved in good sound. When the singers are upstage of wherever the mic was they can be hard to hear, but most of the time they are downstage and clearly heard. The chorus and orchestra are also very good in Frank Corsaro's production.For fans of the singers, especially Neblett!