London"s 1955 early stereo sonics hold up amazingly well. Erich Kleiber"s easy mastery of all things Mozartean is manifest in every recitative, aria, and deftly paced ensemble. Cesare Siepi"s bubbly yet defiant Figaro delights both mind and senses, as does the rest of Kleiber"s lively, responsive cast. A wonderful recording, with full texts and translations. --Jed Distler