None of my purchases have arrived so far at all. Annoying. What is, the reason?

Haven’t been able to listen to much yet. I saw the actual performance and I will never forget it! Had to stand in line for 6 hours to get a Stehplatz ticket then stood for the opera, which is very long. It was pure magic.

If you have heard Bernstein's studio Rosenkavalier with essentially the same cast (Popp was Sophie in place of Grist), you might think you don't need to hear this - but you do! Jones is in far better form here than she was in the studio (she and other cast members had been ill with the flu during the recording sessions). She blends exquisitely with Grist's charming Sophie and is an unusually assertive Octavian. Grist sounds like what most of us imagine an operatic 15-year-old would sound like without ever turning shrill. Ludwig's singing is simply beautiful. She floats the "silberne Rose" at the end of Act One as well as anyone ever has and launches the trio with a heavenly "Hab mir's gelobt". Her top B at the end would do credit to a Brunnhilde. More importantly, she inflects the words with freshness and spontaneity. She is very angry in the last act - no wonder Ochs gives way to her demands. Berry plays Ochs as a charming rogue and also sings extremely well. Though he manages a good low E at the end of Act Two, he doesn't try a low C in Act One (a note, I think, he only sang in the studio recording). The supporting cast is terrific. Kmentt sings the tenor aria handsomely. Bernstein is less-mannered here than he was in the studio a couple of years later.The sound is good though there are some minor glitches here and there. If you listen all the way to the end of the last track on the third disc, you get to hear the announcer give the entire cast.

Lovely performance. Gwyneth Jones in beautiful, steady voice in the title role. Ludwig not my favourite Marschallin but of course she sings beautifully. Grist is charming as Sophie, if maybe not as memorable as Popp or Donath. Bernstein always interesting although sometimes his strong musical personality can get in the way, but then, isn't that why he was so great? Personality.......and unmistakable.

Bernstein’s hairpin conducting is at turns energetic, frenetic, thankfully indulgent in broad lyricism. This does keep things moving, but a lesser cast would be vocally harried or taxed for breath. Jones is captured in her glory, rich in middle voice, blooming on top, the pinnacle of her early career. Ludwig is at once feminine, voluptuous, vocals of precious jade, white, ivory, mint, emerald, rich in hue and highly treasured. Grist’s pristine soprano cuts through Strauss’ orchestration without losing one scintillating note. Berry personifies the boorish nouveau riche, always the correct fork for the soup. Staatsoper comprimari are superb, definitive dramatically, first class vocally. Sound very good.

This is a wonderful performance of Der Rosenkavalier. This production, ultimately resulted in the Columbia recording of the opera with Bernstein. I find his conducting here to be more natural and wonderful. Reri Grist, one of the loveliest coloraturas ever, is sublime as Sophie. She is one of the few who actually sounds like a 15 year old but with absolutely no shrillness or effort. She is perfect. Gywneth Jones is in steadier voice than when the commercial recording got made and she is so lively here. The voice is in great shape and it is wonderful to have this, future Marschallin, as Octavian. Ludwig is a very sexy, moving, and yet somewhat earthy Marschallin. Along with Berry and Kunz, the leading roles are all extremely well done. The small parts are all well taken. If you are a fan of any of these artists, this is a recording to have. If not, maybe you will become a fan.

wonderful performance