Last week, I purchased a used copy of Sir George Solti's recording of Wagner's Gotterdammerung. I had sworn off buying any more operas until I retire (which is no time soon) because I find that I simply do not have time to sit through three consecutive hours or so of music that requires very concentrated listening. And so, for weeks I ignored the box on top of the display case, until I started to get this little voice in my head telling me I'd be a fool to let this get away at $32 for the 4 CD performance. So I caved in. Well, I have enjoyed the little bit of Wagner that I have, which consists mainly of overtures. But I had eyed the Ring Cycle warily and had not really been interested in a serious relationship. That has all changed. I have been listening at the rate of a little less than one CD a night for the past three nights and I am head over heels in love. Not only is the music absolutely gorgeous, but I find myself engrossed in the play as I never imagined I would. Unfortunately, I am coming in on this story at the end, so now I MUST collect the first three operas of the cycle. Solti's Die Walkure happens to be at the same used book and CD store where I got Gotterdammerung and I am going back tomorrow with my fingers crossed in hopes that it is still there. Das Rheingold and Siegfried are not there, however, though I could probably turn them up at one of several used CD shops in town eventually... if I do not insist on them being Solti's recordings. My question, of Ring Cycle fans is: Would it be stupid to mix different versions of the cycle? Common sense tells me that I ought to stick with one conductor, one set of performers, for the complete cycle, but I am also a cheapskate and if I could reasonably get away with some other performances..well, I would. Unless it was a REALLY bad idea. Opinions? And while I'm on the topic of operas. As I was looking through the opera bin at another store today, searching for the other Solti Ring performances, I came across a box of Strauss' Elektra done by Mitropoulis. I don't remember names of any performers or the orchestra. It was on a label named Dino and it is of a 1950 performance. Is anyone familiar with the recording? Obviously the sound quality is going to be less than perfect. I just wonder how much less than perfect and whether the performance is good enough to make up for it. John Parker Tucson, Arizona