Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

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This recording of Der Rosenkavalier captures the intimacy of the Glyndebourne opera house preserving what is, without doubt, an engrossing performance with notable contributions from key soloists at poignant stages of their careers. This 1965 production, first staged by Glyndebourne in 1959, was not without its casting complications. Baron Ochs was to be Manfred Jungwirth but only sang two performances due to ill health and was replaced by Otto Edelmann. Miss Caballe was ill for the first week of rehearsals and Edith Mathis arrived at Glyndebourne announcing that she was pregnant and was not be able to sing her August performances. Many considered Der Rosenkavalier too big a production for Glyndebourne's intimate house. Artistic director Carl Ebert, and conductor Fritz Busch, had entertained the possibility of mounting Der Rosenkavalier pre-war, using Strauss' own reduced orchestral version but by 1959 the volume of the theatre had been increased considerably, and this production, was hailed as one of his finest achievements, in what was Ebert's final year at Glyndebourne. The recording captures a stellar cast. Not only is this Caballe's sole recording as the Maschallin on disc but preserves her Glyndebourne debut, in the same year also singing the role of the Countess in Le nozze de Figaro. The Finanical Times observed: ''First praise should perhaps go to the Marschallin of Montserrat Caballe... a beautiful voice... and an eloquent presence. The role lived in her.'' Edith Mathis as Sophie was her second appearance at the Festival, the New Statesman lauding her role as ''myown favourite is Edith Mathis' wonderfully fresh Sophie''.