GREAT! A MUST! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Fischer-Dieskau’s Macbeth is the central orb around which all else revolves. His dramatic and vocal focus is riveting. I would venture that F-D’s intellect would have allowed him to undertake Shakepeare’s “Scottish Play”. At age 27(!), Bumbry, assuming her first Lady M, sings with precision and unfailing beauty, absent only a peppering of her signature brio. Peter Lagger (Banquo), Ermanno Lorenzi (Macduff), Francisco Lazaro (Malcolm), Bozena Ruk-Focic (Lady-in-Waiting), Alois Pernstorfer (Doctor) display major instruments. Sawallisch conducts a tempest in a teapot, missing Verdi’s grander sense of propulsion. This production omits the Prelude. Varying cuts are made to the Witches’ choruses, and the Ballet and the Assassins’ chorus are cut completely. Sound is excellent.

Terrific.