Great Moments in Opera

Cobbled together from old Ed Sullivan TV shows, this sampler of golden oldies is a mixed blessing. This is not a high budget production--witness the typos on the cover (Mingon for Mignon) and on the titles (suave for soave). But who wouldn't enjoy the disparate wonders of Maria Callas, Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price and Lily Pons or the legendary duos of Robert Merrill and Jan Peerce, or Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne singing their greatest hits? Sullivan's Show of Shows flourished some 40 years ago, of course, and we've learned a lot about showcasing a performance in the ensuing years. Add the ravages of time and at least a second generation of reproduction and you've got some pretty ragged viewing and listening. Still, if you're willing to stifle a guffaw and ease up on your audio demands you can still get a glimmer of the glories of the past, immerse yourself in some powerful and varied vocal techniques and even compare vocal styles (e.g. Price and Callas' approaches to Vissi D'Arte). Plus, any program that gives you a chance for a rare encounter with the incomparable Eileen Farrell is well worth it. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Reed)