I meant to write "Van Mill is a sturdy Sarastro with a solid low E". below, but discovered too late that his name had been autocorrected to Van Milk - Oy! My apologies to Mr. Van Mill and Opera Depot!

Beecham inspired his forces to give their best in this performance from the Teatro Colon. The sound is very listenable and is pitched correctly. There are a few small bits of dialogue missing here and there (not much) and the last moments of Tamino's big aria have mysteriously disappeared. A pity, but not unheard of with these older broadcasts.Lorengar is a luminous Pamina. Her "Ach, ich fuhl's" is a highlight of the performance as is her magical "Tamino mein!" in the trial scene. Dermota is a strong, manly Tamino who is worthy of such a Pamina. Streich is not as vocally perfect as she was in Fricsay's studio recording from a few years earlier, but she is still very impressive. The audience adores her as it does Berry's genial, adorable Papageno. Van Milk is a sturdy Sarastro with a solid low E. The other singers are all quite good. Beecham leads with authority, but also with a lightness that keeps everything moving.If you've only heard Beecham's 1938 studio version of this opera, you need to hear what he does with a fuller text and in front of an appreciative audience.