This revival took place before Walton revised his score considerably, lowering the role of Cressida for Janet Baker and trimming a number of scenes and passages. I enjoyed hearing Walton's original thoughts and wish he had left well enough alone. I love the Tristan and Isolde-like love music in the second act, the concluding storm music providing a satisfying bookend with music that is genuinely passionate and "hot".Collier is a terrific Cressida with her excellent diction and shining top notes. Turp may not provide a lot of musical sensitivity, but his singing is very satisfying; he certainly sounds the smoldering lover. John Lanigan is a creepy, funny Panderus and Veasy brings her rich voice to Evadne's brief, but important role. I am told Sargent conducted better here than at the premiere.The sound throughout is excellent for the period, the Pirate Gods smiling happily on this endeavor. If you like the opera and have only heard the later revisions, you'll really enjoy this!

I was in the audience during this series of performances but had quite forgotten what a magnificent performance it is. Collier is an idiosyncratic singer (as was her younger contemporary Barstow) but what intensity and richness of sound. In addition the superb tenor of Andre Turp, a stalwart at CG in the 1960s and much taken for granted, and the stunning Otakar Kraus - an outstanding Alberich and Iago in the original languages, and Rigoletto in English with young Joan Sutherland. In addition there's Sargent's thrilling conducting and the splendid recording which belies its age. I followed with the libretto of the more recent Chandos recording and discovered the opera is quite a lot longer in 1963 and all the better for it. Highly recommended.

I have always had mixed feelings about Troilus & Cressida. It has some wonderful music, but it seems hampered by cliches of what romantic opera is supposed to be like, and it can take a long time to get to the point. The word that keeps coming into my mind as I listen is "corny". Having said that I do think that this is a splendid performance, with an excellent all-round cast, and Collier is thrilling in the role of Cressida. The sound is also really good - how does Opera Depot find these fabulous recordings? This is now my favourite recording of the opera.

good