Johannn Strauss II (1825-1899):
|
| Rosalinde | ELISABETH SCHWARZKOPF |
| Adele | RITA STREICH |
| Gabriel von Eisenstein | NICOLAI GEDDA |
| Alfred | HELMUT KREBS |
| Dr. Falke | ERICH KUNZ |
| Orlofsky | RUDOLF CHRIST |
| Frank | KARL DÖNCH |
| Dr. Blind | ERICH MAJKUT |
| Speaking parts | |
| Frosch | FRANZ BÖHEIM |
| Ida | LUISE MARTINI |
Introduction
The Golden Age of Viennese operetta reaches its apogee with Die Fledermaus. A 24-carat cast – including Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Nicolai Gedda and Rita Streich – under Herbert von Karajan bring all the requisite sparkle, finesse and cynical humour.
Synopsis
This essential Viennese operetta, first seen in 1874, was in fact based on a farce by the French writers Meilhac and Halévy. Johann Strauss’ delicious music, launched with an exhilarating overture, does not illuminate a tale of romance and glamour, but a cynical, though light-hearted comedy of bourgeois infidelity and deception.
Gabriel von Eisenstein is due for a short stay in prison, but his manipulative friend Falke persuades him to attend a party given by Prince Orlofsky. Little does Eisenstein realise that among the other guests will be his wife, Rosalinde, and his chambermaid, Adele – both in disguise. Eisenstein leaves for ‘prison’ and Alfred, Rosalinde’s admirer, arrives. When the prison governer comes to collect Eisenstein, Alfred is taken instead. At Orlofsky’s party, Eisenstein finds himself making advances to his own wife under the illusion that she is a glamorous Hungarian countess. By the third act, everyone is in prison, but the mayhem is finally resolved with the help of champagne. The score’s many hits include the ironic Act I trio “O je, o je, wie rührt mich dies’, Alfred’s drinking song “Glücklich ist, wie vergisst’, and, at Orlofsky’s party, Adele’s Laughing Song (‘Mein Herr Marquis’), Rosalinde’s passionate csárdás (‘Klänge der Heimat’) and the lilting ensemble ‘Brüderlein und Schwesterlein’
|
Compact Disc 1 41.11 1 Ouvertüre 7.57
|
Compact Disc 2 68.52 ACT TWO ACT THREE |
 |
