The English diction in this performance is quite good, good enough to hear that the translation attempts to mirror Shakespeare's original text whenever possible. Jones is superb as she invariably was in Verdi. She manages the coloratura well and sings an accurate D-flat at the end of the Sleepwalking Scene. She even adds a D-flat to the end of Act One, a note she didn't always venture in other performances of this opera or of Trovatore.Bryan Drake is a first-rate Macbeth, singing and singing very convincingly. His enunciation of the translation is exceptionally clear. David Gwynne is also excellent as Banquo. He is the only Banquo I've heard who speaks his lines when being murdered, giving a bone-chilling scream when attacked. Both tenors perform very well with strong voices. Wetherell conducts capably, but seems to dislike the Witches' music as he cuts one of the choruses in the first scene. For whatever reason Act Three begins abruptly at Macbeth's entrance; the opening chorus was either cut or is missing from the tape.The sound is good. There is some radio static on the second disc that is a little annoying. I also think the pitch is a little low throughout the performance though by how much I don't know. My copy was afflicted with some mild clicking in the last track; it doesn't last long (less than 30 seconds).Fans of Dame Gwyneth and Opera in English should acquire this!

When they said that Gwyneth Jones could have been a legendary Verdi singer if she did not go the path of Wagner/Strauss... documents like these prove it. I have the same performance, bought from another source, which sounded very bad and there were missing parts (eg. Jones' coloratura at the brindisi were missing) so I tell you this one is best. Thank you for this gem!

In 1965, Welsh National Opera could mount a MACBETH that was fully the equal of what the major opera houses could do, sparked by the stylish baton work of Eric Wetherell. Heard in her absolute glory is Dame Gwyneth Jones, as savage a Lady Macbeth but one who traces her lines with impeccable Verdian panache. While she might dominate another performance, here she has a fully worthy consort in Bryan Drake, a stalwart Macbeth who faces his bloody fate with steadfast vocalism and interpretive poise. David Gwynne's Banquo holds up his end of the proceedings. The sound is excellent broadcast mono and the cast's diction makes capital use of the English translation.

Macbeth seems to work in whatever language you want I have a number in German and English it still sounds as brooding as ever. The highlight to this performance is Dame Gwyneth who just seems to fill the theatre with voice. A tremendous thrilling performance not to be missed

I would recommend this recording for several reasons. First, hearing the opera in English is a revelation. Having listened to Macbeth in Italian for over 30 years, I thought I knew this opera completely. But I really don’t speak Italian, and hearing it in my own language gave me greater insight into my favorite opera. Secondly, Dame Gwyneth Jones gives a marvelous performance. If I would select a “dream cast”, she would be my Lady Macbeth. Drake is quite good as Macbeth, although he sounds a little Wagnerian at times. The rest of the singers are more than adequate. Finally, Wetherell’s tempo is to my liking, not too fast or too slow.