Out-of-print masterpiece. The case has some scratches, but the disc surface is clean. This is Stravinsky's *Oedipus Rex* performed by Ozawa, Norman, and Schreier. The performance is arguably of the highest technical standard. The passionate singing of Norman, Schreier, and other vocalists, the flawless performance of the orchestra under Ozawa's control, the incredible timpani by Everett Firth, principal percussionist of the Boston Symphony, and the passionate narration by Kayoko Shiraishi, along with Kazuko Matsuoka's Japanese translation, all reveal the excellence of Cocteau's script. Note that in this opera, the singing is in Latin, and the narration is in the language of the country where it is performed, as specified by the composer, so the Japanese narration follows the composer's instructions. The recording captures the efforts of these performers without reservation, and is full of impact. You can fully appreciate the excellence of PHILIPS' Direct Bit Stream recording. Also, perhaps due to the famous Boulez review, the progress of Stravinsky's compositional techniques after *The Rite of Spring* seems to be somewhat ignored, but since he reached this level in the first half of the 20th century, he is indeed a great composer, and this work is a masterpiece. This recording was made immediately after the performance at the commemorative 1st Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto (now Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival). The tight performance, in which the soloists, chorus, and Ozawa and the SKO extract expressive elements from the complex score, captures even the strike of a triangle clearly. The participation of the world-renowned singer Jessye Norman adds to the sense of fulfillment. 【Track Listing】 ● Stravinsky: Opera-Oratorio *Oedipus Rex* Jessye Norman (Soprano: Jocasta) Peter Schreier (Tenor: Oedipus) Bryn Terfel (Bass: Creon) Kayoko Shiraishi (Narrator), etc. Tokyo Opera Singers Shin-Yu-Kai Chorus Saito Kinen Orchestra Seiji Ozawa (Conductor) Recording Date: September 1992 Recording Location: Kanora Hall, Okaya City Recording Method: Stereo (Digital / Session)