GAETANO DONIZETTI
Anna Bolena
Nicolai Ghiaurov – Enrico VIII
Elena Souliotis – Anna Bolena
Marilyn Horne – Giovanna Seymour
John Alexander – Lord Riccardo Percy
Janet Coster – Smeton
Stafford Dean – Rochefort
Piero de Palma – Hervey
Wiener Staatsopernchor
Norbert Balatsch, chorus master
Wiener Opernorchester
Silvio Varviso
Recording Producers: Ray Minshull, David Harvey
Balance Engineers: Kenneth Wilkinson, Gordon Parry
Recording Location: Sofiensaal, Vienna, Austria, 1–10 September 1968 & 29 August–5 September 1969
Original Decca LP release: SET 446–49
‘An international cast of high renown, engineered with the customary subtlety and skill of [Decca’s] engineers, backed by an excellent orchestra in the knowing control of Silvio Varviso, as effecting a conductor for this work as I can think of. Marilyn Horne offers singing of the utmost succulence and plangency. Nicolai Ghiaurov could not possibly be bettered … his tone is a constant salve to the ear, a rich, resonant timbre guided by high intelligence.’ High Fidelity
‘Marilyn Horne virtually carries the whole opera (in this recording) on her shoulders, and page after page of the score reveals her as a consummate singing-actress.’ Opera