Pauline Tinsley is definitely one of today's Pirate Queens (divas who made few studio recordings, but whose in-house or broadcast recordings are highly treasured.) Was there anything she didn't sing well? Her Turandot is the equal of any other soprano I can think of including Nilsson's. Nothing in the music fazes her and she makes Turandot as believable as possible. The top notes are all successfully taken, there is no wobble anywhere in the voice, and she uses her voluminous chest register when appropriate (her "Si, la speranza che delude sempre!" is growled harshly at Calaf and the crowd.) She sings the usually cut "Del primo pianto" in both the complete recording and the excerpts and makes the case for its inclusion both times.Marti (Caballe's husband) is an excellent Calaf with a secure, ringing top register. He has no problem joining Tinsley on the unison C at the end of "In questa reggia" or taking the optional C at "No, no, principessa altera". His "Nessun dorma" is very persuasively sung. Rita Huang sings Liu's music beautifully. Claude Corbeil is a fine Timur and the three ministers are first-rate. Good leadership from Pierre Hetu as well.The sound is listenable, but I agree with Mr. Bowers' opinion expressed below: the tapist should have stayed still. The bumping around of the mic and the occasional volume drops are irritating. On the other hand we're lucky to even have this recording so I'll swallow my grumbles and recommend this to Tinsley and Marti fans.

I really wanted this for the much underrated Bernabe Marti. I was actually suprised to hear that its Tinsleys' incredible Turandot that steals the show.Laser beam top and a warm gutsy middle voice.Marti's voice seams much smaller than I would think but acquits himself well. Rita Huang was nothing special.BUT! there is constant mike rumbling throughout the performance as though the usher was walking by and the mike had to be hidden. Therefore the volume also goes in and out.