BY JAY NORDLINGER [NY Sun, 22 November 2005]

Angelika Kirchschlager, one of the most appetizing singers in the world, gave a recital at Alice Tully Hall on Sunday afternoon.The Austrian mezzo-soprano stands out in both opera and song.With Susan Graham, she is probably the leading Octavian ("Der Rosenkavalier") in the business, and she is known for the Mozart roles as well. In recital, she sometimes appears with the baritone Simon Keenlyside, and she sometimes collaborates with Jean-Yves Thibaudet, the first-class pianist who likes to perform with singers (Renee Fleming is another of his partners). Miss Kirchschlager has shaped an admirable career.