Raina Kabaivanska makes a rare excursion into the French repertoire, albeit sung in Italian, in this performance of Thaïs. Kabaivanska captures the radiant allure of the title character, projecting her glamour and sensuality while tracing with equal conviction her eventual transformation toward rapturous piety.

Although the opera bears the name Thaïs, Athanaël is an equally central presence, and Sesto Bruscantini proves an excellent partner to Kabaivanska. He vividly conveys the character's sensuality and increasingly unhinged obsession, while meeting the vocal demands of the score with assurance.