Domingo's character is a study in doubt and denial, sung with characteristic concentration, ready to rise to his two peak moments.

José De Eusebio . . . has the support of Plácido Domingo, in fine voice and singing with conviction . . . In the important role of the maid, Antoñona, Jane Henschel brings strong character and a sturdy voice.

Pepita Jiménez tells the story of a priest torn between sacred and earthly love, and pulses with gloriously lush tones and wonderful orchestral colours. Domingo and Vaness do it full justice, and Eusebio¿s conducting is spot-on . . .

The present performance is a very good one . . . Plácido Domingo in this long and remarkable career has taken on many more or less likely roles; his assumption here of the young seminarian Don Luis is yet one more . . . triumph . . . his ardour, both in trying to stick to his vows and then in finally confessing his love for Pepita, is winning . . . Enrique Baquerizo convincingly portrays the man's shifting emotions in an eloquent performance. The choruses of the villagers, and the (mainly a cappella) singing of the children, are alike attractively realized by the Chorus and Children's Chorus of La Comunidad, Madrid, and its large Orchestra shows itself to be disciplined, keen and rich-toned . . . He now not only conducts "Pepita Jiménez" with impressive commitment, a fine ear for the rhythms and melodies of Albéniz's score, and a sure sense of timing he also writes a detailed booklet note about the problems he faced in preparing the edition used. I have greatly enjoyed listening to a work about which I previously had known nothing. I have found it fascinating, and commend it warmly to adventurous readers.

Hats off to Maestro de Eusebio for his service to Albéniz, and to us.

Mr. Domingo¿s tenor . . . sounds absolutely terrific. His elegant Don Luis is like a luxurious oasis . . .

Domingo manages to persuade us that Luis, whose initial confession that his 'intention is a pension up in heaven', undergoes a catastrophic change of heart as he renounces spiritual for physical love. His aria in Act 2, 'Love moves by night', is a gem, framed by a delightful oboe obbligato. Carol Vaness, as Pepita, sings her most celebrated aria with considerable passion and maturity: this aria is the closest the composer comes to his "Cante jondo" style, with its free rhythm, bittersweet harmonies and vocalized melismas . . . this is a great listen and a triumph for those concerned.

Here is an opera feast indeed . . sounding better than ever. These are mid-price luxury issues . . . Those who collect recordings by Domingo will wish to have it . . . Fine sonics . . .

Hier erlebt der Zuhörer einen auftrumpfenden Domingo, wie man ihn seit Jahrzehnten wahrnimmt. Eine Symbiose aus kluger Stimmführung, eleganter Phrasierung, Farbenreichtum sowie Klangschönheit erfreuen auf dieser Aufnahme das Gehör. Doch auch im . . . ersten Akt ist Domingos Leistung von hoher Qualität . . . Auch die anderen Männerpartien bieten keinen Anlass zur Klage. Enrique Baquerizo lässt einen mächtigen, wohlklingenden Don Pedro de Vargas vernehmen, Carlos Chausson gefällt . . . mit durchaus schöner Stimme in der Partie des Vicars . . . José De Eusebio . . . leistet am Pult des Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid exquisite Arbeit und sorgt fortwährend für eine knisternde und fesselnde Grundstimmung.

. . . Plácido Domingo [zeigt sich] mit seinen 66 Jahren noch keineswegs müde . . . Ihn gelüstet es nach neuen Spielfeldern für sein immer noch kerniges, oft wohlklingendes Organ . . . Insgesamt eine bravouröse Leistung . . .

Aus dem guten Ensemble ragen die beiden Hauptfiguren glänzend heraus: Plácido Domingo betört wieder einmal mit jugendlich-lyrischem Schmelz und großem Einsatz, die amerikanische Sopranistin Carol Vaness gibt ein kraftvolles Porträt der Pepita. Albéniz' feine, wiederentdeckenswerte Musik changiert zwischen Zarzuela-Folklorekolorit, puccinesker Orchesterbehandlung, wagnerschen Techniken.

. . . Chor und Orchester aus Madrid musizieren . . . tadellos . . .

. . . Plácido Domingo, toujours convaincant . . .

El tenor madrileño aporta su soberbia potencia, con esa pasión que le mantiene eternamente joven y venal, a un personaje que haya su contrapunto perfecto en la fogosa Pepita de Carol Vaness ...