I suspect this is conducted by Charles Mackerras rather than Georges Pretre; in either case it's a strong, exciting performance. Freni and Gedda each got to make studio performances of their roles in this opera (Gedda twice!) and those recordings are very good. They didn't get to record them together though so here's a chance to experience them in very good mono sound. Gedda's C in "Salut, demeure" is one for the record books. The applause must've been immense, but it's all cut out here. Similarly, Freni's big Act Three scene is superbly sung and acted. Her trill in the Jewel Song is very good though she skips the higher one at the end. Krause is an unusually strong Valentin, Soyer a dapper, elegant Mephistopheles. I was slightly disappointed that he didn't sing the octave G's in the Serenade more cleanly, but at least he doesn't overdo it as many Mephistos. I think Jocelynne Taillon is Martha.There is more Faust here than we normally get. The Marguerite/Faust duet in Act Three is performed uncut so we get to hear a huge top C from Freni. On this occasion, the Spinning Wheel aria is not sung; we do get a little of the Walpurgis Nacht scene. The sound can be a little ragged at the beginning of scenes, but is otherwise very good and pitched correctly.If you're a Faust lover or love any of the leading singers you should have this.

Roger Soyer is a superb opera singer and his Mephistophélès is very well sung and acted.