This recording is my first exposure to Dalibor (I have Opera Depot's two other versions of it, but haven't listened to them yet). I will definitely be exploring it further. It has many glorious arias and duets, also some parts where Smetana's inspiration flags a bit (one could say that about most operas though).This performance was a labor of love for Vilem Tausky and he provides a fine dramatic structure for the performance. His singers are terrific. Pauline Tinsley is a smashing Milada, soaring repeatedly up to high Bs and Cs without flinching, and providing an emotional center for the piece. April Cantelo was another fine musician who could sing just about anything (she also appeared in the BBC recordings of Wagner's Die Feen and Das Liebesverbot). Her part is just as demanding as Milada's; at one point she sails up to what sounds like a high D without batting an eye. Roland Jones is an excellent Dalibor, equally capable of soft high singing and heroic outbursts. Don Garrard brings rich, smooth tone to Benes. Everyone else is just as good. The diction, especially from the men, is very clear, fully justifying singing this unfamiliar work in English translation. The sound is quite clear, a few passing moments of static in Act Two aside. Recommended to any opera lover who wants to learn a fine work outside the conventional opera repertoire.

good english language translation well performeed