Arguably the finest modern recording of Debussy's masterpiece, with ideal casting in the title roles and a poignant Golaud. An ineptly sung Arkel snags.

[This version] has the great virtue of a native French-speaking cast; and no one better exemplifies the advantage this provides than Philippe Huttenlocher, who brings out every shade of meaning in the words and makes Golaud's every scene vivid by intelligent acting with his fine voice. His is a truly outstanding performance...Rachel Yakar is a fragile and innocent Mélisande...All told, I found this a profoundly moving performance.