This is one the Sleepers in Andy's collection. You figure it will be at least competent, but not much more - and there you're wrong! Soderstrom sings a stunning Pamina, really shining in her "Ach, ich fuhl's". Her Tamino, Erik Vikstrom, is a worthy partner. Birgit Nordin really sounds like the Queen of the Night, singing with accurate coloratura if less than perfect high staccati. Tyren is a fine Sarastro, offering beautiful and steady tone. Wixell is very charming as Papageno and is an obvious audience favorite. The three ladies are terrific as are the two Armed Guards. Sandberg leads a lively, entertaining performance.The sound is very good barring some minor static in the second act. Magic Flute goes very well in Swedish. Fans of the singers or the opera will enjoy this performance very much!

How does "The Magic Flute" sound in the language of Ingmar Bergman? Just fine. It phones beautifully, a quality that could also be attributed to the singing of Elisabeth Soederstroem, already in full command of the qualities that would make her an adored figure on the lyric stage and recital platform for decades. "Ach, ich fühls" is a high point of the performance. The mousy-sounding Tamino hardly seems worthy of her. Herbert Sandberg lays a bit of a heavy baton on the score but the problematic dialogue passages just fly past. It's a pity not to be getting the jokes, especially with Ingvar Wixell regularly having the audience rolling in the aisles. Of course he sings Papageno most beautifully but who knew he was such a deft comedian?Birgit Nordin fires high notes like darts (not always hitting the target) and Arne Tyrén is a Sarastro who is paternal but never lugubrious. The sound is good Sixties radio quality.

Reasonable home recording of broadcast