This 1971 Tristan was recorded live at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Its principal value lies with the protangonists. The occasion marked Jon Vickers’ debut in a role he would make even more his own in the 1972 Karajan studio recording. Behind his dry timbre lies a powerful disposition and fierce integrity. Birgit Nilsson, however, is slightly past her best years, and I suspect that the numerous cuts were made in order for her not to tire. The supporting singers acquit themselves well, but can’t always be heard in a constricted recording that pushes the rather scrappy orchestra to the forefront. No texts, but informative notes accompany this fascinating but not really essential set. Wagner fanatics, though, certainly will want to hear it.
