I’m choosing this specific example mostly because there are still a few “purists” who are absolutely infuriated when Mary Stuart is sung by a mezzo (but are perfectly content with soprano Rosinas and Angelinas, presumably).

I have heard this (slightly) better sung from a purely technical point of view, but never with more dignity and artistry, sans histrionics, with a totally individual timbre than it is here by Janet Baker. An elegant rendition, and an artistically true one. I hope to hear more mezzo Marias in the future, but I don’t think there will ever be a more regal one.

TC is also a fan of Dame Janet:

For me the Baker/Barbirolli collaborations (Elgar, Ravel, Berlioz, Mahler) will always be reference recordings. It was a special relationship, his warm, expansive music-making and characteristically burnished string sound perfectly matching her rich nobility of tone.  No matter the repertoire,  they always just seemed to be breathing together.  But if forced to choose among those memorable recorded performances, it would have to be the Kindertotenlieder. Barbirolli was a magnificent Mahlerian and Baker delivers these heartbreaking texts like no one else.