Other reviewers here have already extolled the virtues of this performance; this was a night when everything went right and the Pirate Gods smiled down on its sonic preservation. Borkh sounds young enough here to convincingly portray a spoiled 15 year old. She audibly becomes more unhinged as the performance continues, finally offering a searing final scene. Lorenz also sounds a little unhinged; his diction is superb and if he veers toward hysteria at times that's not inappropriate to the character. Barth sings Herodias better than most mezzos and Hotter is in his vocal prime, the voice steady and sure. He makes the prophet an implacable, intimidating force. The supporting cast is excellent down to the smallest part. Keilberth conducts a lyrical, dramatic performance that is very well-paced. The sound is very clear with no glitches that I heard.Salome lovers should get this!

The names of the singers for Narraboth and the Page were left out from the above cast list. They are:Narraboth - Lorenz FehenbergerThe Page - Katja Sabo

Inge Borkh was one of the greatest Salomes ever, and recordings of her interpretation of the role have been around in various forms for three quarters of a century. But perhaps never in a better performance, and certainly never at a better price, than this Opera Depot offering. Borkh is, by turns, coquettish and voluptuous and searingly perverse in Salome's vocal lines. The supporting cast are all good. Hans Hotter as Jokanaan is sonorous and noble-sounding; Irmgard Barth is suitably annoying as Herodias; the great heldentenor Max Lorenz has some difficulty transitioning to the character role of Herod but sings very sturdily. But it is Borkh who makes this 1951 recording -- in exceptional sound, by the way -- a treasured and "legendary" performance.

This is an exciting live version of Salome from 1951. The main attraction is Inge Borkh as Salome. She sounds much younger than her studio final scene with Reiner for RCA in the late 50's. Her voice sounds thinner here but that is not necessarily bad as Salome is very young. Keilberth leads a very moving performance and the rest of the cast is very good. The sound is thin in the orchestra which is a shame in Salome but it is very listenable. If you like Salome you will like this live performance.

Magnifique interprétation, dominée par Inge Borkh, Salomé sauvage et sensuelle, Hans Hotter, formidable Jochanaan, et le grand Max Lorenz , Hérode de luxe. Joseph Keilberth et les musiciens de l'orchestre de l'Opéra d'Etat de Bavière connaissent évidemment leur Strauss à la perfection. Le son est bon.