The Cunning Little Vixen is undoubtedly the most delightful of Janacek's operas. Its libretto, written by the composer, is based loosely on a comic strip from an early twentieth-century Czech newspaper. It is wise, compassionate, naive and much less sentimental than you would expect of a story involving cute animals and their relations with humans.

On the other hand, it may be the most difficult of the composer's operas to do justice in a sound recording. Or perhaps it just the one that requires the closest listener attention and the greatest amount of imagination.

The fact that this recording is in English may be of help for some listeners. Personally, I'm only able to understand about a third of what's being sung, but that does at least give me some indication as to where I am in the story.

With the above observations duly set forth, let me say that this is a fine recording of Vixen. Many people will find conductor Simon Rattle's interpretation too romantic, particularly compared to the Mackerras recording on Decca that has been a benchmark for nearly rwenty-five years. All in all, though, most listeners should be comfortable with it.

The cast is strong all around. Thomas Allen is a fine Forester, henpecked, no doubt, and certainly feeling the weight of his advancing years, but good-natured for all that.

Robert Tears sings the Mosquito and the Schoolmaster, developing the latter character nicely. Lillian Watson does a fine job as the Vixen too.

In short, there's little to complain of in this recording and much to admire. And yet, unless the opera-in-English angle appeals to you, you would probably be better off with the Mackerras recording.