One wonders why Carol Neblett chose to sing this voice-breaking part, but whatever the reason, she is fantastic. Perhaps only Nilsson matches the ease with which she sings this role and Neblett had the more beautiful sound. Furthermore Neblett is alive to the character in a way Nilsson only peripherally was.Though Neblett is unquestionably the raison d'etre for this release she is not the only good thing about it. Barry Morell was a fine lirico spinto tenor who was taken for granted at the Met and elsewhere. He sings very well here, surprising me with his ascent to the optional top C in Act Two. His "Nessun dorma" wins him a big hand. Carmen Hernandez is a lovely Liu - whatever happened to her? Claude Corbeil sings a moving Timur and the three ministers are excellent. Kenneth Schermerhorn leads a very satisfying performance with a good chorus and orchestra. I was surprised he makes the usual cut of "Dal primo pianto" in the penultimate scene, a cut I thought was on the way out by 1977. Neblett would've sung it so well too.I wish the sound was better. The ear adjusts, but the voices are recessed. Those unfamiliar with in-house tapes should listen to the sample above first before investing. Andy has given us Margarita's "L'altra notte" as a filler, returning the compliment of including "In questa reggia" on the Neblett Mefistofele (OD #11849), another fine performance in recessed sound.At least there's some consistency.

The biggest problem with this performance is the sound quality. It is an in-house record which sounds like if it had been recorded in an open air theatre from the 70th row. Fortunately from the second act the situation became better, maybe the person who recorded this performance got a better place. But I have never heard a Turandot performance where Altoum sounds louder than Calaf. The performace itself is good. Carmen Hernandez is a lovely Liu. Calaf is a Heldentenor role but Barry Morell is a spinto, so though he is more than adequate he pushes the limits of his performance. The true hero of this Turandot is Carol Neblett. She is in the fullness of her abilities. She is simple perfect. A wonder. Her husband Kenneth Schermerhorn is the conductor and he makes a good job with his ensemble. Both orchestra (according to the discography of Neblett it is the Pittsburgh Orchestra) and choir are acceptable. Recommended for Neblett fans.