Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) - Richard Strauss
Information about the opera Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Strauss's romantic comedy, justly popular because of its captivating melodies and glorious arias.
Recommended recordings on CD
Kleiber/Watson/Fassbaender (Orfeo 581083)
An outstanding live recording from a festival performance at the Münchner Nationaltheater in 1973.
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, conducted by Carlos Kleiber, 1973.
Cast: Claire Watson (Die Feldmarschallin), Brigitte Fassbaender (Octavian), Karl Ridderbusch (Baron Ochs), Lucia Popp (Sophie), Benno Kusche (Faninal).
Orfeo 581083
Karajan/Schwarzkopf/Ludwig (EMI Classics 3 377 357-2)
A version of Der Rosenkavalier (c. Karajan) at budget price with no printed libretto.
Loughton Girls School Chorus, Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, 1956.
Cast: Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Die Feldmarschallin), Christa Ludwig (Octavian), Otto Edelmann (Baron Ochs), Teresa Stich-Randall (Sophie), Eberhard Wächter (Faninal).
EMI Classics 3 377 357-2
Kleiber/Reining/Jurinac (Naxos Historical 8.111011-13)
This recording, originally released on LP by Decca, has three outstanding sopranos in the leading roles and is considered a classic.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Erich Kleiber, 1954.
Cast: Maria Reining (Die Feldmarschallin), Sena Jurinac (Octavian), Ludwig Weber (Baron Ochs), Hilde Güden (Sophie), Alfred Poell (Faninal).
Naxos Historical 8.111011-13 (mono)
Karajan/Schwarzkopf/Ludwig (EMI Classics 7243 CMS5 67605-2)
The last recording made by the outstanding partnership of Herbert von Karajan and producer Walter Legge, with a perfect cast. Despite its age, the recording is as good as many digital recordings, even on headphones. Highly recommended.
Loughton Girls School Chorus, Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, 1956.
Cast: Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Die Feldmarschallin), Christa Ludwig (Octavian), Otto Edelmann (Baron Ochs), Teresa Stich-Randall (Sophie), Eberhard Wächter (Faninal).
EMI Classics 7243 CMS5 67605-2
Böhm/Schech/Seefried (Decca 463 668-2)
An excellent studio recording, with good performances, but the poor stereo mixing makes for uncomfortable headphone listening.
Dresden State Opera Chorus, Dresden Staatskapelle, conducted by Karl Böhm, 12/1958.
Cast: Marianne Schech (Die Feldmarschallin), Irmgard Seefried (Octavian), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Baron Ochs), Rita Streich (Sophie), Ilona Steingruber (Faninal).
Decca 463 668-2
Böhm/Ludwig/Troyanos (Deutsche Grammophon 445 338-2)
The most beautiful live recording of this opera on record.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karl Böhm, 1969.
Cast: Christa Ludwig (Die Feldmarschallin), Tatiana Troyanos (Octavian), Theo Adam (Baron Ochs), Edith Mathis (Sophie), Ljubomir Pantscheff (Faninal).
Deutsche Grammophon 445 338-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Karajan/Schwarzkopf/Jurinac (Park Circus PC0021)
A new restoration of this lavish film version, from a live performance at the Salzburg Festival in 1960. Uses multi-camera techniques developed by the director Paul Czinner, it's one of the best versions available on DVD.
Vienna State Opera Ballet, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, 1962.
Cast: Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (Die Feldmarschallin), Sena Jurinac (Octavian), Otto Edelmann (Baron Ochs), Anneliese Rothenberger (Sophie), Erich Kunz (Faninal).
Park Circus PC0021
Kleiber/Jones/Fassbaender (Philips 073 407-2)
An acclaimed production, now finally available on DVD. In every respect this is the best version on DVD.
Munich Opera, conducted by Carlos Kleiber, 1979.
Cast: Gwyneth Jones (Die Feldmarschallin), Brigitte Fassbaender (Octavian), Lucia Popp (Baron Ochs), Manfred Jungwirth (Sophie), Benno Kusche (Faninal).
Philips 073 407-2
Kleiber/Lott/Otter (Deutsche Grammophon 073 008-9)
A superb production featuring four fine performers in the main parts, coupled with magnificent sound, makes this a highly recommended version.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, conducted by Carlos Kleiber, 1994.
Cast: Felicity Lott (Die Feldmarschallin), Anne Sofie von Otter (Octavian), Kurt Moll (Baron Ochs), Barbara Bonney (Sophie).
Deutsche Grammophon 073 008-9