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