David Stewart wrote:

>Need recommendations, I don't have this yet and I heard the wonderfully
>dramatic opening on a Hannsler (sp?) classics catalogue sampler.  An all
>male rendition would be preferable...

Find me the male that can sing those soprano soli.  Or do you mean boys?
If this is the case I think that you are erring too far on the side of
authenticity.  I have never been able to stomach screechy little urchins
eeking out those gorgeous, filled-to-the-top-with-fervor arias.  Hanssler
is with Rilling, and he certainly uses women.  I have a tremendous respect
for his work.

My fave still though is the old Klemperer recording with the finest cast of
soloists ever assembled for a recording ever!!!  (Pears, Fischer-Dieskau,
Ludwig, Berry, Schwartzkopf and Gedda.  Simple fabulous!!!)

Kevin Sutton