It is rare to find a performance with a cast of this caliber, especially with such good stereo sound. Birgit Nilsson is at the height of her powers, sounding fresh enough by the end of the opera to perform the role three more times. Sigurd Björling's baritone, which has often seemed too rough for my tastes, here reveals considerable lyricism and grace, leading me to reconsider my previous assessment of this artist. As Siegmund and Sieglinde, Kølbjorn Høiseth and Aase Nordmo Løvberg bring youthful vitality and Nordic authenticity. Kerstin Meyer makes the most of her brief appearance as Fricka, while Berit Lindholm and Barbro Ericson stand out as Valkyries.