Tchaikovsky Pique Dame Rysanek, Grigorian, Guleghina, Hvorostovsky, Gergiev NY 1995 

When the production opened on 26 October it was an enormous hit with public and critics alike. Katita Mattila sang the first six performances with Ben Heppner opposite Leonie Rysanek, however the opera was not broadcast till 30 December 1995, by which time Maria Guleghina and Gegam Grigoriam had replaced Mattila and Heppner for three performances, the last of which was on 2 January 1996. Mattila returned to sing Lisa for five performances in March 2011. So far, to my knowledge, no recording with Mattila and Rysanek has surfaced. As you say, that would be quite something.

@@starrman22 Mattila must have been wonderful in 1995. Her best days as Lisa were sadly a bit behind her in 2011, though she put on a good show. I’m not much of a Maria G. fan myself, though she is pretty good here. It’s criminal they didn’t telecast this premiere run, given Rysanek was much beloved. I guess they just couldn’t fathom not having Domingo in something. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Soderstrom. She was an amazing artist. But the Countess was not her role, at least not at the met in a production meant to highlight Rysanek, a very different sort of stage animal.