Mozart's first opera (a singspiel) is performed by some of the greatest all-time Mozartian singers. A must! Highly recommended!

This is a charming, lovely opera that's given a charming, lovely performance here. Eda-Pierre didn't have a big career in the States, performing at the Met in only a handful of performances (debut Konstanze, Gilda, Antonia); she was much better known in Europe. One can hear why she was so acclaimed in the role from her singing here. The coloratura and tessitura hold no terrors for her. She zips through "Ach, ich liebte" with skill and determination and stops the show with her "Martern aller Arten". Burrowes is a delightful Blondchen, never overdoing the hoydenish aspects that some sopranos indulge in. She ducks the high Es in "Durch Zartlichkeit", but that is a small matter. Ryland Davies is a solid accomplished Belmonte. His second aria "Ich baue ganz" is cut as was customary at the time. Orth is a Pedrillo who's filled with just the right type of spirits. The lack of a trill is the only chink in his vocal armor. Moll has an excellent trill and then some. I doubt that anyone else has had his command of all of Osmin's coloratura, plus a strong top and rock solid bottom (down to low D.) He's funny and lovable too. Karlheinz Bohm is an angry, quick-tempered Selim. His father's leadership in the pit keeps everyone together and the score moving along at a good pace. The dialogue is handled well by everyone.The sound is excellent. There are a few sonic grumblings in the first act, but they're brief and unobtrusive. Mozart lovers and fans of the singers should get this.

Magnifique interprétation, dominée par la merveilleuse Christiane Eda-Pierre, trop méconnue, et l'inusable Kurt Moll. Les autres rôles sont bien tenus et Karl Böhm fait jouer l'orchestre de l'Opéra de Paris comme des viennois ! Le son est excellent.