This performance was given in the presence of the composer to celebrate his 80th birthday. It has survived in excellent sound and Opera Depot copy is as good as any I've heard elsewhere.If you want to understand why Reining had such a high reputation, this is one of the performances to do it for you. Some of her recordings from the 50s capture her a little late vocally (though still impressive). Her voice here has a lustre that it had lost a decade or so later. She comes very close to being the ideal in the dual role. The young Seefried was a favorite of Strauss's and she shows why with her supple, lighter tone, perfect for the idealistic, immature Composer. Noni is a delightful Zerbinetta with her piquant voice. Her German is excellent and she tosses off Zerbinetta's coloratura with ease, always using it expressively. Lorenz is heard in his late prime before, like Reining, his tone hardened. He certainly sounds like the heroic Bacchus with his ringing top B-flats.The supporting cast is made up of terrific singer/actors: Schöffler, Witt, Loose, Kunz. Their dialogue passages have an improvisatory quality about them that is very enjoyable. Under Böhm's expertly paced direction, everyone is having a good time.The discs are conveniently laid out with the Prologue on the first disc, the Opera on the second with no interruptions.If you love this opera, you must hear this performance. Though given at a painful time during World history, it fully deserves it's high reputation.

Must have;excellent cast,wonderf