“Der Rosenkavalier” is a nice mix of modernism (not really a modern opera) and classical, with a nonchalance, a comic verve, a finesse, as a lot of irony against the social situation. Even if Capriccio shows that Richard Strauss would continue to evolve to achieve remarkable levels (a little like Verdi with Falstaff), the Rosenkavalier has still something more direct in the approach.
So, which recording I would recommend? In my young years, I loved Schwarzkopf from the Voice point of view. Then I evolved to the studio recording from Erich Kleiber. Reining is not the best, but the complete recording is remarkably consistent. If stereo is a must have, that Karajan for EMI / Warner is probably a reference.
| Recording | Comments | Musical quality | Technical quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor: Herbert von Karajan (1982, DG) | ++ The Wiener Philharmoniker = Karajan (the coloration is interesting, but not more than other conductors) = The singers (Everything OK, but at the end a little dull) | ** (I miss the "life" in this recording. Only nice music...) | **** (Deutsche Grammophon early digital... Very brilliant) |
