Haven't received it yet. Was meant as a christmas present. So, not good, really...

Ingrid Bjoner enjoyed a long, successful career in Europe and sang many roles in German opera houses that she rarely sang elsewhere. Her Isolde is very competent and firmly sung with excellent top notes. I can't evaluate her completely though because of the muddy sound on this recording. Spas Wenkoff also has his moments, but is much more effective elsewhere. As always, Ruth Hesse is a reliable, if unmemorable, Brangane. I agree with David M's assessment below that it's great to hear Leif Roar before his voice became rough and ready. Hans Sotin's Marke is extremely good (his contribution sounds like it stems from a better tape of this performance). Horst Stein leads a rather humdrum performance.I would probably be less cranky if the sound were better. The first act isn't bad, but there are some irritating volume drops in Act Two that should have been fixed before release. Act Three is better though still frustrating. Fortunately, most of these singers are preserved in these roles elsewhere in much better sound.

Perhaps the muffled sound colors my reaction but muffled could describe the overall effort here, despite meritorious individual efforts. Conductor Horst Stein rises to the big moments but seems to be conducting one Tristan too many this time out. Similarly, Spas Wenkoff was a Wagnerian stalwart of the Seventies and Eighties but sounds underpowered for Tristan. Ruth Hesse was a millstone around the neck of Wagnerians for decades and is no more acceptable here, although one does have the pleasure of hearing Leif Roar before he shouted the nap off a once-lovely voice. Hans Sotin's sonorous, dignified Marke is beyond praise and Ingrid Bjoner's Isolde shows that there was hope in the post-Nilsson years. Hers is an interpretation that keeps Italianate lyricism to the fore, yet also is equal to the dramatic demands of the role. If you get this, Bjoner should be the reason.