If the sound on this recording was as good as the performance, we'd really have something to enjoy. Alas, that is not the case. The real problems don't begin until about halfway Act Two just as Siegfried's famous horn call is finishing. The eerie orchestral passage that ushers Fafner onto the stage is missing. Either someone had to turn over the tape or it was lost in transmission. From there until the end of the act the source tape is unsteady, afflicted with wow and flutter. Similar problems intrude in Act Three just as Brunnhilde is waking up. Fortunately, it clears up and the last 15 minutes of the opera are relatively problem- free.The singers themselves give stirring performances. Hopf is a wooly, but likable Siegfried, especially in Act Three, where his vulnerability at meeting a woman for the first time is very touching. Marschner is an excellent Mime who really sings his part. Neralic is a decent if unremarkable, Wanderer and Siewert a good, if slightly past her prime Erda. Van Mill is a grouchy Fafner who sings and roars well (we'll never know if he yawned on coming out of the cave since that section is missing from the tape.) Lorand is fine as the Woodbird and Andersson a formidable Alberich. Nilsson is in great shape and offers her usual thrilling top notes. Cluytens leads a performance that doesn't drag, assisted by some beautiful orchestral playing.For fans of the singers and Cluytens, but I've warned you about the technical issues!

Great conducting by Cluytens and beautiful playng by Orchestra della Scala , great Nilsson, others so and so ( Marschner good Mime ) . An important document , anyway, it would be nice, to have that complete Ring.