MOZART: “COSI FAN TUTTE.” Leontyne Price, Tatiana...

MOZART: “COSI FAN TUTTE.” Leontyne Price, Tatiana Troyanos, Judith Raskin, George Shirley, Sherrill Milnes, Ezio Flagello; Ambrosian Opera Chorus; New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Erich Leinsdorf. RCA 6677-2-RG (three compact discs). Recorded 21 years ago in London with a standard Met cast of the day, Leinsdorf’s edition of Mozart’s comedy includes material dropped from most performances of the time and demonstrates an enlightened attitude toward vocal embellishments. In a broad, unsubtle, gutsy way, the performance (here in a good digital remastering) maintains a certain consistency, though Leinsdorf’s martial leadership ultimately proves wearing. Price takes the measure of Fiordiligi’s arias, Milnes is a fit Guglielmo, Raskin a model Despina. Troyanos’ neurotic Dorabella and Shirley’s ungainly Ferrando lessen the pleasure.