Solti did not conduct Turandot often so it's a treat to have a souvenir of his early work for the German Radio. In 1956, he hadn't yet become a name (the famous Decca Das Rheingold was still two years into the future.) He is less mannered here than he became and leads an exciting performance with a great cast.Goltz was better known for her Strauss roles, but here she is a formidable Turandot with soaring top notes. Like Hopf, she sang the Italian repertoire in German and very well too. In fact, both singers surprise us with their attractive singing without the wobble and woof they occasionally brought to their German roles. Hopf amazes us with two thrilling top Cs in the second act and a stirring high B at the end of "Nessun dorma". Stich-Randall sings Liu as if she were singing Mozart. It may not be stylistically correct, but she makes some heavenly sounds, particularly the high B-flat at "Perche un di" in the first act. The supporting cast is superb as well - all strong, characterful voices. The traditional cut of Turandot's "Dal primo pianto" is taken in the penultimate scene; since it's not written by Puccini anyway I'm less inclined to fuss (although Goltz would've sung it very well.)The sound is generally good and pitched correctly. The first couple minutes of the third act are afflicted with wow and flutter, but it clears in time for "Nessun dorma". Gala and Cantus Classics had this performance in better sound, but they're both out of print now.

It is a very well-sung and well-conducted performance. Christel Goltz belongs to the best Turandots I have ever heard. Hans Hopf made also a very good job especially in the final scene. Though Teresa Stich-Randall has no the beauty and the passion of a Carteri or a Lorengar but sings really beautiful. Unfortunatley we got no information about the bonus: I suppose we can hear Goltz in the final scene of Élektra.

To add to what I said before. The chorus is really excellent and for this opera They play a pivital role. Solti’s conducting is very fine and he lets his singers emote more than some others I’Ve heard, especilly Stich-Randal. A very exciting performance all round.

What I had said before that apparantly didn’t go through, Was WOW! what a cast! Hopf with real high notes and a Turandot that is almost perfect. The best that I’ve heard. Has Madame Goltz done other things? Hopf is deffinitly the hero. Some lovely legato in “Nessun Dorma”. Quite a surprise.