I have been searching for a performance of Die Fledermaus for this catalog for quite some time and I am confident that I have hit the jackpot with this performance. The sound may not be completely ideal but the performers more than make up for it. In his operatic farewell Rudolf Schock sings the role of Gabriele von Eisenstein. Schock was clearly of the school that one should exit while they are still on top as his singing is still effortless and robust. Rosalinde is a notoriously difficult role to cast. To get it right you need a soprano with excellent coloratura, a rock solid top as well as some vocal heft. Edda Moser possesses all of these traits and delivers a performance that is both dazzling and exciting. Hans Beirer shows that he can scale down his heldentenor well for the rather lyric role of Alfred. He also proves himself to be a deft comedian and employs his oversized voice to convey the overwrought outbursts of a temperamental tenor to hilarious effect. Christa Ludwig is an excellent Orlofsky. Coming from the Wiener Staatsoper on no less than New Years day it should come as no surprise that this performance is brimming with vitality and Viennese charm. The opening chorus of the second act is missing as well as the overture. For the sake of continuity I have inserted another version of the overture conducted by Artur Rodzinski from 1950.
BONUS:
Edda Moser sings "Caro nome" from Rigoletto.