Fidelio was a Karajan specialty. There was always a sense of occasion when he conducted it. He tinkered with the score for this and that performance, but here he performs the entire score including Rocco's Act 1 Gold aria (sometimes cut in those days) and the entire final scene (occasionally he would cut the chorus that introduces the last scene). He even includes a rousing rendition of the Leonore Overture #3.Ludwig gives her all as Leonore, her top notes ringing out splendidly, her determination and sheer grit incredible. One gets the impression that she might be reaching the end of her tether,but she never allows the music to break her. Her emotional reaction to discovering Florestan in the prison scene is heartbreaking. Uhl sings Florestan very well while Frick and Berry are terrific in the two lower voice roles. Steffek and Stolze make an unusually strong downstairs pair. Prey is a generous Fernando; we're glad he's on our side. The soloists in the Prisoners' Chorus are as fine as everyone else. Even the dialogue is spoken with an urgency one doesn't often hear. Karajan conducts up a storm; this was a great night at the opera, preserved in excellent, on-pitch sound.For all lovers of Beethoven's masterpiece.