This Falstaff is terrific, not only because it's sung very well, but because the cast is clearly having a good time. The Russian translation allows the singers to communicate directly with the audience. Vishnevskaya had a delicious, if dark, sense of humor and that spills over into her characterization. She doesn't really have Alice's trills, but she and the Nanetta end the opera on a strong top C. Nechipailo is a terrific Falstaff. He has the voice and then some, the some including an ability to characterize using only his voice (something today's singers tend to lack). Valaitis is a strong Ford. Even in Russian, a language I don't speak, I could follow his thoughts in his big monologue. Levko is fine Quickly with her solid lower register (she easily sings the optional low E in Act Two, scene two.) Her understated characterization aids the proceedings immensely. Arkhipova makes a strong impression as Meg Page. Melik-Pashayev leads a lively, well-articulated performance that Falstaff lovers will want to play over and over.The sound is very clear and pitched correctly. Don't shy away from this performance because it's not in Italian. It is a fully alive document of a long bygone era.