This performance is wonderful, really as fine as we have any reason to expect. It was authorized by the composer (not that this always matters much), and more to the point has two superb protagonists in the form of Hermann Prey and Lucia Popp in their 1972 primes. Rose Wagemann and Karl Ridderbusch complete the excellent cast, and Kurt Eichhorn leads his Munich forces with complete authority. For the singing alone, this is certainly worth hearing. Warm, perhaps not ideally clear but otherwise very good sonics complete a very attractive picture. Unfortunately the German-language libretto, which is included, does not come translated, but then we all know the story anyway and the principal interest for most will be Orff's treatment of Monteverdi's music. If you love L'Orfeo, you will enjoy discovering this equally loving arrangement. [6/23/2004]