This performance reminds us that Die Fledermaus is more than an opera—it's a celebration. Hermann Prey sets the gold standard for Eisenstein, his effortless charm helping the audience overlook the character's narcissism. Kiri Te Kanawa brings star power and elegance to Rosalinde, while Hildegard Heichele offers a richer vocal profile than the typical Adele. The supporting cast shines, particularly Benjamin Luxon as Falke and Robert Tear as Orlofsky. A true highlight comes in the Act II party scene with special guest appearances: Daniel Barenboim playing Chopin's G minor Ballade and Isaac Stern performing the third movement of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. The only drawback is the abundance of spoken dialogue—much more than music—and while the audience clearly enjoys it, at times it feels like "you had to be there."