J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Vienna Philharmonic, Previn
There may be more cornily entertaining readings of this perennial favorite on CD, but none that is sung more wonderfully. Star turns abound within fine ensemble performances: Kiri Te Kanawa is as involved as one has ever heard her, singing with beautiful, womanly tone and great wit, while Richard Leech's Alfred is both funny and handsomely sung. Brigitte Fassbaender's Orlovsky is truly ambiguous-aristocratic, Edita Gruberova is a high-spirited Adele, and Wolfgang Brendel's Eisenstein is secure and well-drawn. André Previn leads the Vienna State Opera forces with respect for their tradition, and they respond by playing and singing gloriously. Precisely what made the producers decide that the Act II party should be filled with extraneous "party" noises (mumblings, laughter, glasses clinking) is baffling, but it's overlookable. This one's tasty--enjoy!--Robert Levine