Despite poor sound this radio recording is of historical interest as the earliest document of Hans Hotter’s Dutchman, and the direction of a major conductor, Clemens Krauss. Even without the visual component some hint of Hotter’s strengths comes through here. Krauss is particularly remembered for his association with Richard Strauss, several of whose operas he premiered, but he also was noted for his Wagner, and for his Johann Strauss! Another major artist represented here is bass Georg Hann (Daland), whose powerful, dark voice is always unmistakable. As Senta, soprano Viorica Ursuleac (the conductor’s wife) is an expressive interpreter but, at least as recorded here, her distinctive voice is sadly worn and often unsteady. Unfortunately the sound of the tapes from which this Preiserrecords release was taken, is bathed in distortion on everything even moderately loud, making the listening experience something of an endurance test. (This reissue is dated 1995. Perhaps the tapes had deteriorated by that time, I have not heard earlier vinyl releases.)