The three principals are carried over from the previous year's festival and they are all just as marvelous. Rysanek is a little more cautious with her overall singing, resting in a few places before a big high note or dramatic moment. Her voice is steadier and stronger in the middle than it had been in the previous decades. She remains unfailingly committed and thrills us not only with her force-of-nature high Bs, but her terrifying scream when she recognizes the Dutchman at his entrance in Act Two: a classic portrayal.McIntyre's voice was always a bit wooly, but he uses that to his advantage. His diction is excellent. He and Rysanek really give us their all in the big second act scene. Talvela sings Daland with a beauty of tone we don't often hear in this role. Esser is a very strong Erik and Ilosvay makes every moment count as Mary. A young Laubenthal gives us a lusty, well-sung Steersman. Varviso leads a very exciting performance that builds in tension as it goes along. The chorus and orchestra are superb. I love all the foot stomping and whooping in the last scene; it makes you feel you're in the theater with them all.The sound is very clear broadcast mono. If you love the opera or the singers, even if you already have them in the previous year's broadcast, you need this.