Falstaff
This KarajanFalstaffhas much to recommend it: Fedora  Barbieri's Mistress Quickly is a force of nature, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, only slightly affected, is a liquid, appealing Alice Ford, and  Luigi Alva and the young Anna Moffo are ideal as the young lovers, Fenton and Nanetta. But the star--as it should be--is Tito  Gobbi in the title role. As is usual with this great singing actor, his characterization comes from within--his is a Falstaff born to be  deflated, arrogant and self-deluding on a level that is actually funny. And the nice surprise is what good voice Gobbi's in-- he's in charge of all of his vocal colors here and he uses all of them well. Karajan's touch is light and, yes, funny, and he  treats the opera as the divine ensemble work it is, all leading up to a superb final scene. A good time is had by all--listeners  included.--Robert Levine