Andy's comments above and Roger's below really sum up the strengths of this excellent performance of Das Rheingold. All right, Hotter is past his vocal prime, but he still is a force to be reckoned with. Kraus is a terrific Alberich who gives us a wonderfully melodramatic laugh at the end of the first scene and a heart-piercing scream when the ring is stolen from him. His pronunciation of the curse is desperate and sad. His "freak out" at the end of it hurts too. Bohme is a grouchy Fafner you wouldn't want to cross. The other singers are all house singers and they're all very good. The Rhinedaughters are superb, each with lovely, characterful voices. Watts is a good Erda, but she is frustratingly off-mic for her contribution The sound is mostly very good. I thought this was taken from a broadcast, but especially during the last scene many of the voices which sounded just fine earlier all sound like they're upstage. One can still hear

One can still hear the voices, but many of them sound off-mic (different tape source?) Downes leads a lively, fast-moving performance. A pity the first couple of minutes are missing, but I'm grateful to have this all the same. Rheingold lovers should get this. It shows just how solid the company was in those days.

How well I remember those heady days when every new season at the Garden started with a couple of Ring cycles. The singers were a mix of guest stars and the magnificent house company. This is excellent with the rocklike nobility of Hotter, a luscious Friea from Vaughan, a fledgling McIntyre as Donner, and the incomparable Kraus spitting intensity with every sung syllable. A treasure. Roger Bryson