This success of the present gorgeous account of this shocking opera is in no small way due to the idiomatic, and loving, conducting of Charles Bruck. Everything Janáček asks for is here. Enough said. Most will rightly focus on the fact that this is the first run of performances as Emilia Marty by Elisabeth Söderström, a role for which she has become so justifiably celebrated the world over. She performs the role with exceedingly clear French diction in a translation that seems to defy the difficulties inherent in translating the Czech language. It is also a true feat of genius that Elisabeth Söderström also sang the role in German and English, but, astoundingly, never performed the role onstage in Czech. In fact, her first performance in the original came only with the studio recording made for Decca under the baton of Charles Mackerras.As for the 1968 (only) date and venue ORTF (only), difficult and time-consuming sleuthing came up with a true date and venue. The ORTF only performs at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Looking through what they have online, and corroborated by that theater, the opera only made its first appearance there in 1979. Following help from interested parties at both theaters, it has been ascertained the performance at hand actually took place on Tuesday, 29 October 1968 at L'Opéra de Marseilles. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the names of the four missing characters.The sound is excellent for the time, which is saying much. This is a beautiful performance that belongs in any collection. One cannot recommend the performance highly enough and for all the parties involved. Sit back and enjoy!!!

The Makropulos Case is best heard in the language of the audience. It's a wonderful opera, but one must understand what's going on at every moment. This radio performance from the ORTF gives us Janacek's opera in French and it goes very well in that language. It sounds more elegant with the colorful French vowels. The majority of the cast is made up of native French speakers. Soderstrom probably spoke French fluently given her excellent diction here. She doesn't sound native perhaps, but that is entirely appropriate for her centuries old character who is originally Greek. Her singing and interpretation are superb: sarcastic, impatient, occasionally mean-spirited, ultimately wise and accepting. She must have sung this opera in 3 or 4 languages: the original Czech for the Mackerras studio recording, Swedish for the brief bonus that concludes disc 2 of this set, French for this performance, and possibly German elsewhere.The rest of the singers are equally good. English tenor Adrian de Peyer sings Gregor high vocal lines with ease and Jacques Mars and Bernard Demigny are first-rate as Emilia's antagonists. I wish the entire cast list was available as all are very characterful. Charles Bruck leads a spirited, quick-moving performance that the composer would have enjoyed. The sound is excellent broadcast mono. I wish the disc break would've been after the second act instead of in the middle of it. All fans of this opera should hear this performance!