Gwyneth Jones delivers a riveting Desdemona in this performance of Otello, defying critics who claimed her voice had declined by the 1970s. She brings not only the sheer vocal power that made her famous, but also a level of nuance and phrasing more commonly associated with Mozart interpreters. It's a portrayal that rivals the finest on record. Hans Beirer offers a muscular and unyielding Otello, his voice cutting easily through the orchestral texture. Kostas Paskalis, meanwhile, brings a sleek elegance to Iago, his baritone so refined it nearly masks the character's malevolence. The recording is in single perspective, and a brief patch of skipping occurs near the end of Act II.