Donizetti: La Fille du Régiment / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Malas, Sinclair, ROH Covent Garden, Bonynge
This opera, about an orphan girl who is adopted by a  whole regiment of Napoleon's army (meaning that anyone who wants  to marry her must get the regiment's consent) combines sparkling  comedy with spectacular vocal writing--not only for the soprano  but for the tenor who, in one legendary passage, must produce  nine high Cs in quick succession. Pavarotti's performance in  this production, fairly early in his career, ranks with his  Nemorino inL'Elisir d'amore, among the best of his recording  career. Sutherland finds the role of Marie congenial, in terms  of characterization as well as vocally, and the conducting is  generally acceptable if not spectacularly good.--Joe McLellan