Werther 1963, Manon Lescaut 1970, Tosca 1957, La Wally 1972 - all featuring Magda Olivero are glorious listening.

Great performance in great sound.

Charlotte (Carlotta in Italian) is not a role that one would normally associate with Olivero; I have no idea whether or not she did the role on stage. But she invests every moment with specific emotion. One usually hears "general joy" or "general fear": not with Olivero. Her outburst on Sophia's departure in the last scene may be considered too much by some; I think it's especially poignant and entirely appropriate. Nor does she go over the top in the last scene, keeping her tears to a minimum. A classic portrayal, very different from Nina Vallin's cooler, more austere approach on the classic studio recording with Georges Thill.Andy finds Lazzari adequate, but not up to Olivero. I think he's wonderfully sensitive and poetic, singing with equal parts grace and passion. I was surprised he ducks the high B towards the end of Werther's Act Two monologue, but it may not have been printed in the score he was using. His death scene responses match Olivero every step of the way. Meletti is a subtle, almost sinister Albert and Panni a lovely Sophia. Rossi's conducting brings out the drama without milking the emotions too much. I regret he makes the traditional cut in the last scene where the children and Sophia are heard singing offstage. Werther is not a long opera - go figure!The sound is not only very good, but genuine stereo with excellent separation of the voices and instruments. This is a must for Olivero fans!

very nice performance. i love werther and this was a fine performance. Italian no problem for french production.