Mimi Coertse brings all the vocal goods needed to excel in the role of Daphne. Her clarion soprano conveys the youth and innocence of the title character, with just enough edge to cut through Strauss's muscular orchestration. Jean Cox, with his endless vocal reserves, makes for an ideal Apollo. And being the handsome man he was, one can only imagine how godlike his stage presence must have been. Fortunately, the voice alone captures it—radiating sex appeal and virility in equal measure. A young Edita Gruberova makes a brief but valuable appearance as the First Maid, offering an early glimpse of the brilliance to come.