Carlos Kleiber is joined by a stellar cast for this 1977 performance of Der Rosenkavalier. Brigitte Fassbaender brings sincerity and ease to the role of Octavian, paired beautifully with Lucia Popp, who matches her in youthful vitality. Helga Dernesch is poignant in her monologues, though she shows some strain in the higher tessitura—a year later, she would transition to mezzo-soprano roles.

Kleiber’s command of the score is phenomenal. The orchestra breathes with the singers, offering them space when needed and then enveloping them in lush sonorities., as is the performance.