This performance assembles a legendary cast and for the most part delivers on the enormous potential. Roger Soyer is a suave don with a touch of blackness to his voice. Ever since seeing him in the Joseph Losey Don Giovanni, I have always thought that José Van Dam was the ideal Leporello. He brings a charming cynicism to the role without sacrificing any of the character's elegance. His comic timing is also very good. Margaret Price is equally ideal as Donna Anna and Kiri Te Kanawa is a fiery Elvira. So what is the catch, you ask? I am sad to say that it is the dirge-like conducting courtesy of Sir Georg Solti. Almost every number is about 10 clicks too slow and at times it weighs down Mozart's score. The only benefit of this approach is that it gives us extra time to luxuriate in the great singing particularly from Margaret Price.