Bonynge, in his best form ever, procures a full-blooded performance from a wellchosen cast, aided by a suitably vivid recording that shows no sign at all of its age...Sutherland's words are not easy to understand, even though her enunciation is better than sometimes; but the precision, brilliance and sweetness other voice in the prominently featured upper register (rather less steady lower down) compensates for much.

Sutherland's performance of the central role of Esclarmonde is in its way was powerful as it is in Puccini's last opera. Aragall proves an excellent tenor, sweet of tone and intelligent...Bonynge draws passionate singing and playing from the chorus and orchestra, and the recording has both atmosphere and spectacle

the fiendishly high title-role takes no prisoners, but Joan Sutherland at her peak is fully equal to its demands, nailing high Ds and Es with imperious venom as the Byzantine sorceress.