Estupendo, bién.

Most people will look at this title and shrug "Philips recorded it beautifully and I already have it." Well, that's true; the sound on the commercial recording is even better than it is here (though the sound is from an excellent broadcast.) What this recording isn't though is a composite made up of the "best" takes from a series of performances. One gets a better sense of how exciting this production was in the house and a more satisfying sense of listening to an actual performance as it was taking place.The singers are all fantastic. The very young Silja sounds like the very young Senta to the life. This Senta sounds obsessed, but not insane. She sings the Ballad up a tone too and sounds completely comfortable with it. Crass delivers one of the most beautifully sung portrayals of the Dutchman I've ever heard. His lyric bass is strong and caressing, but forceful where appropriate. Greindl is a hoot as Senta's cackling father and Uhl gives a convincing portrayal of the frustrated Erik. Res Fischer actually makes something of Mary while Paskuda is a vivid Steersman. The chorus is superb as is the orchestra. Sawallisch's frenzied pace allows all of Acts 2 and 3 to fit neatly on one disc (this performance uses the three act edition.)Even if you have the commercial recording, this set is worth hearing for its vivid theatricality.