This is not an Otello to change your life. Brian Sullivan was better known for his Mozart, Britten, and Wagner than he was for his Verdi, but he sings very creditably here. He had turned 50 the previous year and was attempting to expand his repertoire. His grasp of the words is a little dicey, but he always knows where he is musically. He didn't have the trumpet-like voice of a Del Monaco or the sheer power of a McCracken, yet on his own terms he sings with lyricism and strength. His mysterious death the next year in Switzerland has never been completely solved (was it an accident or suicide?). Either way, the world lost a fine singer and human being.At his side is the then up-and-coming Maralin Niska who was so memorable in many roles at the NYCO, the Met, and elsewhere. She is a lovely Desdemona, always intelligent and assured (she knows her part very well.) Alan Gilbert is a surprisingly strong Iago. His voice is perhaps rather light in color for the role, but Gilbert has the measure of this malevolent character and is believable as a man who can easily win someone's trust. The other singers are all quite good though, again, this sounds like a one-off performance. Allen Jenson conducts capably, but probably would've liked a few more rehearsals. He cuts most of the Act Three ensemble. The sound is quite good for the source (probably recorded from the audience), the voices heard clearly over the orchestra. I'm very happy this was preserved and made available.

I was wrong about the baritone!Further, more-intricate research revealed the cast for this single performance in Pasadena in January 1968. I found an article/announcement in the LA Times dated 25 January 1968. Here's the link to an actual "grab" of the page:https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=15150648&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjE2NDQ4NjM4OSwiaWF0IjoxNjAyMTU2NDY2LCJleHAiOjE2MDIyNDI4NjZ9.mG_sTuFnNdMw-IC7IYl8dNC0JVvaw7mg2JDRavRMTg8The cast was:Brian Sullivan, Maralin Niska, Alan Gilbert (Iago), Janet Mayer (Emilia) Keith Wyatt (Cassio) Octavio Orochena (Rod) Bruce Tuthill (Mont) and Archie Drake (Lod)....and now I shall research the (unfamiliar to me, in the UK) singers...!

Does anybody know the provenance of this performance and more of the cast?It is possible that 'Gilbert' (Iago) was the Belgian baritone GILBERT DUBUC.

I was thrilled to see you post this Recording with Brian Sullivan. The only time I had even even heard of him was trough and old Firstone Christmas Album with Rise Stevens. Now to be able to hear him sing Otello. I look forward to it.