This performance would be much better if it did not have a distracting buzz throughout. Joy Davidson is a fine Charlotte and Kraus is Kraus: a wonderful Werther. I wish I could be more enthusiastic about this recording but I can't get over the buzz. Sorry.

I reviewed Opera Depot's other Werther with Kraus and Zeani (OD #11499) very favorably, not only enjoying the singing, but the passionate performances of the entire cast. This one, sung in the original French, is just as impressive. Kraus sounds at home in the French language; certainly the vocal lines emerge more fluently and lyrically. In both performances the Spanish tenor displays his fine technique and breath control. He also gives us a three-dimensional Werther, a dreamy, immature young man who loves too well and not wisely, preferring to commit suicide and torture his beloved Charlotte with eternal remorse. Joy Davidson was an American mezzo who never got to make any studio recordings. She has a fine voice that she uses to color Charlotte's many changing moods with distinct colors. She is especially heartbreaking in the last scene where she allows her true emotions to emerge. The Sophie, Dolores Cava, has a darker voice than is usually heard in this role. Lorenzo Saccomani is a strong Albert as is Julio Catania as the Baliff. Garcia Asensio leads a strong performance that omits the characters of Brühlman and Kätchen and makes a short, unnecessary cut in the final scene.There is a slight buzz in the background, but it never obscures the music. The voices are very clearly heard and the pitch of the tape is correct.