The Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova is no stranger to the world's greatest opera stages; she made her debut 19 years ago. The instrument is fresh, full and distinctive, and her musicianship (she is also a violinist) is impeccable. Not every item in this recital is a genuine rarity, but nearly all are infrequently encountered and richly rewarding. The Munich Radio Orchestra plays beautifully and idiomatically under Pavel Baleff, the sound is natural, with the voice downstage and very present. An excellent booklet features an interview in which the soprano discusses the roles and their context, as well as a synopsis of the scene. Unfortunately, there are no translations, only transliterated texts, but the program is almost 80 minutes long. Very highly recommended for both the excellent, characterful voice and the unusual and very well planned program.