This recording is particularly fascinating as it reunites much of the cast from the 1962 recording for a chance to hear them unfettered by Solti's insistence on multiple takes as he notoriously insisted upon in the studio. The result is certainly a performance that, although lacking in the same level of polish, breathes organically and seems in many ways effortless. Wolfgang Windgassen's youthful tenor was one of the best at conveying a teenager in this role. Hans Hotter offers a world-weary Wanderer. Once again Gerhard Stolze nearly steals the show as Mime. Can anyone name a better character tenor in the history of opera? Amy Shuard starts out strong but seems to tire as the opera comes to a close, opting out of the last high C. It is a small price to pay considering how mellifluously she spins "Ewig war ich" almost as if she were singing a Mozart aria.