This recording of a 1952 Der Rosenkavalier in München makes me glad I love opera and this one in particular. Kleiber's classic 1954 studio recording of the complete unabridged score is mirrored here in this performance, also presented, I think, uncut. In all honesty I didn't have a score or a libretto in front of me so there may be some very short trims in the second and third acts. Act 1 is absolutely uncut though (we hear Ochs' entire monologue about Love in the Country, etc.).Kleiber (who made huge cuts in his Buenos Aires performances also available from Opera Depot) was a master at pacing and bringing out the humanity in the characters. His cast is second to none. Reining could well be a definitive Marschallin. Her direct, unfussy approach suits the character very well. She inflects line after line with specific meaning without sounding like she's putting on an act. Her voice has seen fresher days, but she always sings attractively. Grümmer is a rare soprano Octavian who is equally wonderful, blending exquisitely with Berger in their duets together (listen to the last phrase of the opera as they soar to the final high notes, vanishing magically into the orchestral framework). Berger was 52 when this was performed, yet she sounds decades younger, her clear soprano fresh and pure. Böhme is, as usual, a great Ochs'. His diction is superb and he captures all of the Baron's obnoxious, boisterous personality. The supporting cast is terrific, especially Wernigk and Gerhein as the Intriguers, Kadera as Marianne, and Wieter as the Police Commissioner. Fehenberger sings the Tenor's aria with blustery skill. The sound is excellent with no glitches that I heard.All Rosenkavalier fans should have this performance; it's that good.