For decades, Carlos Kleiber captivated audiences worldwide with his now-iconic interpretation of Der Rosenkavalier. More often than not, he was joined by Brigitte Fassbaender as Octavian and Lucia Popp as Sophie. In this performance from Munich, the trio reunites, bringing Strauss' playful yet poignant score to vivid life. Brigitte Fassbaender perfectly embodies Octavian's youthful earnestness, matching Lucia Popp's sumptuous portrayal of Sophie with remarkable chemistry.

At the tail-end of her illustrious career, Claire Watson delivers a wistful yet poised performance as the Marschallin. While a slight fading of the bloom in her once sterling soprano is evident, she conveys the character's inner conflict with subtle nuances that enrich the emotional layers of the role. Karl Ridderbusch's portrayal of Ochs is appropriately boorish, yet with a touch of elegance that prevents the character from descending into caricature.