Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande

On paper, this recording is not necessarily promising. Neither Claudio Abbado nor the Vienna Philharmonic is noted for Debussy, and the enigmatic sense of restraint required by the role of Mélisande would not seem right for the hyperdramatic Maria Ewing. Nonetheless, this is among the best modern recordings available. The mysterious story of two lovers with questionable pasts drawn to each other with equal parts telepathy and sexuality is interpreted by Abbado with great confidence and rhythmic animation. Ewing channels her dramatic sense into a performance of great intensity and specificity, but in keeping with the opera's dreamy atmosphere. Other singers are old hands at their roles, with François Le Roux as Pelléas and Jose van Dam as Golaud. And in a bit of luxurious casting, Christa Ludwig sings the brief role of Genevieve with the French language bringing out a softness in her voice that's welcome to anyone who has spent decades hearing her sing in German. --David Patrick Stearns