Great! I was looking for this rare recording, with maestro Melik-Pashayev. Galina Vishnevskaya always said he was the best to work with opera singers. The sound is perfect.

Melik-Pashayev goes at this performance of Verdi's "greatest opera" with no-holds barred passion and the soloists follow suit. There may be more subtle readings of the soprano's solos, but no one else I've heard sings this music with such life or death stakes as does Vishnevskaya. She pleads, berates, and advocates for her fellow humans as if her life depended on it (maybe it did). She concludes the a capella "Requiem " section with a stunning pianissimo B-flat. Arkhipova matches her every step of the way, blending so eloquently with her in their duets that it's hard to tell who is singing which part. Ivanovsky and Petrov are also very effective. There have been more mellifluous recordings of their solos, but few so intense. The chorus sounds like the angels and demins they're supposed to be, the orchestra a little rough, but always ready.The sound is very good. There are too few cuepoints (the "Dies irae" section is on one 34 minute track) and an editing error begins the final "Libera me" with the chorus rather than the soprano's initial statement (it is at the end of the previous track). But these are minor matters.If you love this work you must hear this performance. It may not be to everyone's taste, but it packs an incredible punch.