This disc is essential for Jussi Bjoerling fans--doesn't that include almost everyone?--and for anyone who wants a distinctive sampling from recorded opera's most eloquent age. Best are Bjoerling's duets with baritone Robert Merrill--especially the classic "Au fond du temple saint" from The Pearl Fishers--and the scene with Renata Tebaldi, "Signore, ascolta; non piangere, Liu," from Turandot. Although the sound is variable--and sometimes disappointingly, annoyingly glitch-ridden in these recordings made between 1950 and 1959--the voice, the style, and the passion of the inimitable Bjoerling more than make up for it. Especially considering its low price, this is probably the best disc one can buy to introduce a newcomer to the world of opera. In this light, it is unfortunate that it includes no texts or translations, but there are some brief notes on Bjorling and synopses of each selection by producer Richard Mohr (in English, French, German, and Italian), as well as photographs of all the singers. About the only reason not to buy this particular CD is the availability of the material elsewhere, primarily on RCA's 2-CD set "The Ultimate Bjorling Collection" . After buying this, you must also get the complete operas excerpted here, and then start dipping into the growing number of solo discs available of these four incredible singers. No music collection, let alone opera collection, can afford to be without them.