This is the second incarnation of this now historic 1956 live performance of Strauss's Die Aegyptische Helena and it is sonically far superior to the original LP version. Leonie Rysanek soars effortlessly through Strauss's unique writing for the soprano voice. Ensembles featuring two or more sopranos are spine-tinglingly thrilling and the others in this fine cast eloquently conducted by Joseph Keilberth are equal to the task. This performance dates from the same time as Rysanek's Die Frau Ohne Schatten recording for London Records.