For me, the best of the Werther recordings is the Carreras/Von Stade. Both artists are in their youthful prime, and sing with amazing 'bloom' to the voices.

Carreras in particular is in top form, in this, one of his truly great roles of the 70's and 80's. The voice is meltingly beautiful, the French is excellent, and the passion is all there, as is the loveliest of soft singing when called for.

He's certainly a Latin Werther, a la Di Stefano, but I kind of think of this opera as French verismo, and Jose really makes it work.

I was fortunate enough to see him do this role in the late 70's in San Franciso, with a then unknown Maria Ewing, and he was simply magnificent. A young, also unknown, soprano was the Sophie. Her name was Kathleen Battle. She was fine in this role. The year before, Carreras did Riccardo in Ballo in San Francisco, and Battle was the Oscar- also very good.

If you like Werther, and don't have this recording, do yourself a favor - get it.