Search - Johann II [Junior] Strauss, Willi Boskovsky, Vienna Symphony Orchestra :: Strauss: Die Fledermaus

The most alive and theatrical version

11/19/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To see this version available again is a treat to the soul. I still own the LPs and marvel at the real characters that come through. Not every opera recording gives the sense of personality. The singing has a life made up of pure joy. Musically it is a beautiful rendition. That's why I knew it would be back. If are new to opera. take this one. and if you haven't heard a Die Fledermaus with an energy unmatched ( that's why they call it a classic), then take a chance on this one."

A TIMELESS CLASSIC, in a LANDMARK recording!

Gregory E. Foster | Portland, ME, USA | 06/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had this recording on LP years ago, early 70's I think, and it was always by far the best available recording of this wonderful operetta. I saw this recording ONCE on CD, a few years ago on the shelves of a major music retailer in Washington DC. At the time, I was desperately searching out a series of recordings on Decca that had gone out of print, and considering the "high regard" for this recording with the public, I figured it would be available "for a while", so passed it over. A couple months later I went to pick it up, and "poof" it was gone. "Out of Print" they told me, totally unavailable, it had been a strictly limited edition release. I continually searched for it, always checking EMI's "special import" listings, etc. Nada!



Then, I discovered "secondary sellers" here on Amazon, and poking around one day, I found this recording from a seller in Europe. It took forever, but at last it arrived, apparently not too readily available over there, either.



Anyway, enough rambling...to the review.



Never has this little "masterpiece" of comic humor been given such a wonderously excellent recorded performance. Everyone is in top form throughout the excellent cast. This recording, led by Boskovsky, has always been regarded as the most scintillating and sparkling rendition ever: Gedda/Eisenstein, Rothenberger/Rosalinde, Holm/Adele, Fassbaender/Orlofsky, Dallapozza/Alfred,Fischer-Dieskau/Falke, Berry/Frank, Wengraf/Ida, Schenk/Frosch, Forster/Blind, Vienna State Opera Choir/Symphony/Willi Boskovsky....why EMI chose/chooses to keep this in such a limited circulation amazes me. And, now, EMI is being bought up by someone else, so if you WANT THIS recording, I would suggest you move quickly...it might now be GONE FOREVER, who knows?



You will NEVER regret the purchase of this most highly-regarded "Die Fledermaus"...it has NEVER been bested. Order a copy for yourself before it is gone, and you will then have the excuse to 'waltz' around the house! ~operabruin"