Die Fledermaus has become such a holiday-season staple in opera houses that it's easy to overlook the brilliance of Johann Strauss II's effervescent score. Fortunately, Carlos Kleiber and the forces of the Bavarian State Opera reaffirm its enduring power in this recording.

Describing Kleiber's approach is no simple task. The vitality he brings to the score cannot be reduced to tempo, articulation, or rubato—there is an intangible magic at play, something beyond any musical terminology I've encountered. His interpretation lifts the music to a level that feels almost undefinable.

Gundula Janowitz is an ideal Rosalinde, delivering impeccable coloratura, vocal strength, and an unmistakable Viennese authenticity. Eberhard Wächter brings debonair charm to Eisenstein. One can forgive him for adjusting some notes down to suit his still-powerful baritone. Waldemar Kmentt's Alfred is remarkably sung, while Wolfgang Brendel nearly steals the show during the "Brüderlein" ensemble in Act II. Brigitte Fassbaender makes a commanding Orlofsky, and German speakers will appreciate the sharp comic timing of Otto Schenk as Frosch.