This pared-down performance of Pique Dame cuts back on some of the pageantry of Tchaikovsky's opera but succeeds in focusing on the themes of obsession that dominate the story. Elisabeth Söderström's youthful soprano is a perfect match for Lisa. The part of the Countess is often relegated to sopranos or mezzos in the twilight of their careers, making Barbro Ericson's casting a refreshing choice, as her voice still possessed much of the natural beauty that defined her earlier years. A year after this performance, Ingmar Bergman’s Magic Flute would propel Håkan Hagegård to international stardom. Here, in the relatively short role of Yeletsky, he displays a voice of sweetness and virility.