'Dame Janet Baker as Mary Stuart frees the vibrations, allows a softer use of head tones, is altogether more feminine, the imperious manner held in reserve for special moments. And how telling they are! Everyone remembers the 'Royal Bastard!' in confrontation with Elizabeth, but equally powerful, and more regal is her command - "Be silent! Leave me! - to the Lord Chancellor who brings news of her condemnation to death.

Rosalind Plowright gives what must have been one of the supreme performances of her career. The writing for Elizabeth makes immense demands of the singer, and in these fearsome opening solos the technical challenges are triumphantly met, the voice thrillingly ample, the quality in full bloom.'