Rating: - Electric Scotto
I like much of Scotto's artistry, but this is just not her cup of tea. Her high notes sound like they are plugged into an electric socket! AHHHHH!!!... Even her usual, wonderful word painting is not there. Her Vien's at the end of the garden scene are worse than the most mushy mouthed Sutherland (who could at least produce beautiful sounds). Get the Sony arias disc with Renata Scotto, which, oddly enough, shows her in much better and firmer voice, even though it was recorded later.

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Rating: - Unique Kraus in exceptional Faust
One of the aspects that made of Alfredo Kraus an exceptional singer was the care with which he chose the roles that resulted most adequate to his voice and temper. Faust was one of these paradigmatic roles, but unfortunatelly he never made a studio recording of this opera. The Tokio live recording of 1973 is thus an exceptional substitute and probably the only chance to enjoy the master's full Faust. By the time of this recording, he was at the highest point of his carreer, and we may appreciate ... Read More