DEBUSSY: PELLEAS ET MELISANDE - KARAJAN, HAEFLIGER, SCHWARTZKOPF (2 CDS)

Ernst Haefliger (Pelléas), Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Mélisande), Michel Roux (Golaud), Mario Petri (Arkel), Christiane Gayraud (Geneviève), Graziella Sciutti (Yniold)

Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della Rai, Coro di Roma della Rai, Herbert von Karajan

Apart from Karajan’s exemplary conducting, this recording has other advantages as well. The great surprise is Dame Elisabeth: warmth, youth, spleen. You name it and she has it. This set is worth purchasing alone for the lady’s perfect portrait...Haefliger has a sweet but still a manly sound; and his French style is admirable. So is Mr. Roux’s Golaud. He is one of the very best singers in this role. - OPERA TODAY