In Rattel's new "King Roger" You can find first-rate orchestral playing,
and good singing from two of the three principals.  Thomas Hampson is a
great Roger, and the singing of Elzbieta Szmytka as Roxan is a delight.
The big disappointment is Ryszard Minkiewicz as the Shepherd.  His dry,
colourless voice is far from what this role needs.  Why the whole opera
doesn't collapse from this reason, is because the orchestra plays so
wonderful atmospherical.  Short: The magic of Szymanowski is working in
this recording, but with some faults, may be Naxos is better, I didn't hear
it.  The Koch- Schwann recording is much worse.  Best regards!

Simonyi Janos, Budapest