"Nilsson remembered what a struggle she had learning the part at the last minute specially for the recording, yet her poise and control of line readily match that of Tebaldi on the rival Decca set which was also recorded in 1958, while her vocal agility and control of tonal gradation are even greater ... with vigorous direction from Matacic, conducting repertory unexpected for him, it has much to offer besides the heroine's performance." - Gramophone 1992
A recording issued in the shadow of Decca's technically brilliant production, this 1958 EMI stereo production of Puccini's La fanciulla del West, with Birgit Nilsson in the title role sounded a little lacking even in its day.
That all changes with this stunning new XR remaster by Andrew Rose for Pristine, which not just breathes new life into this fabulous performance, but totally revitalises it, bringing out the brilliant performances and sounding as if it could have been recorded just last week. An unmissable treat!