J. Strauss - a Gala Performance of Die Fledermaus - Karajan - VPO

This landmark 1960 recording of Die Fledermaus remains the gold standard for Johann Strauss II’s masterpiece, capturing a "dream cast" that defined the era. Under the baton of Herbert von Karajan, the Vienna Philharmonic delivers a performance of unmatched elegance, rhythmic precision, and sheer joy. Karajan’s legendary ability to blend symphonic richness with the playful spirit of the operetta creates an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and celebratory, making this one of the most essential recordings in the classical catalog. What sets this production apart is the extraordinary "Gala Sequence" during the Act II ball. In a tradition of grand musical theater, Prince Orlofsky’s party becomes a showcase for a stunning array of guest stars, including Hilde Gueden, Regina Resnik, and Waldemar Kmentt, bringing an unparalleled sense of occasion to the recording. This restoration revitalizes the acoustic brilliance of Vienna’s Sofiensaal, offering listeners a front-row seat to one of the most famous parties in operatic history. Every sparkling vocal line and orchestral detail is presented with a clarity that honors the original spirit of this historic Viennese gala. Artist(s): Conductor – Herbert Von Karajan Orchestra – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Choir – Vienna State Opera Chorus Baritone Vocals [Franck (A prison governor)] – Eberhard Wächter Baritone Vocals [Frosch (A prison warden)] – Erich Kunz Bass Vocals [Falke (Friend of Eisenstein)] – Walter Berry Soprano Vocals [Adele (Maid of Rosalinde)] – Erika Köth Soprano Vocals [Ida (Adele's sister)] – Hedwig Schubert Soprano Vocals [Prince Orlofsky (A young Russian nobleman)] – Regina Resnik Soprano Vocals [Rosalinde (Wife of Eisenstein)] – Hilde Gueden Tenor Vocals [Alfred (An Italian tenor)] – Giuseppe Zampieri Tenor Vocals [Dr. Blind (Eisenstein's lawyer) – Peter Klein Tenor Vocals [Gabriel von Eisenstein (A well-to-do gentleman)] – Waldemar Kmentt Vocals [Carioconi (An influential man)] – André von Mattoni Vocals [Iwan (Butler to Prince Orlofsky)] – B. Fasolt Vocals [Lord Barrymore (An English Nobleman)] – Omar Godknow Recording Info: Recorded on June 12-20, 1960, at the Sofiensaal, Vienna, Austria. The Gala Sequence was recorded around June 16-19, 1960. Producers – Christopher Raeburn, Erik Smith, John Culshaw Engineer – Gordon Parry Components used for Transfer: This transfer leverages precision analog playback and mastering-grade digital conversion. The signal path begins with a modified Nagra 4SJ with Flux Heads, fed through a Merrill Audio Master MX Tape Head Preamp. The analog signal converts via a Merging Hapi converter, synchronized to an Antelope Audio 10MX atomic clock for temporal accuracy. All components receive isolated power conditioning through a Shunyata Research Everest 8000 with Shunyata Sigma-X power cords, while grounding infrastructure utilizes Shunyata ALTAIRA hubs to minimize noise floor and preserve sonic detail throughout the transfer chain. Act I 1 Overture 7:59 2 Introduction. Täubchen, das entflattert ist 1:05 3 Da schreibt meine Schwester Ida – Duettino. Ach, ich darf nicht hin zu dir! 5:40 4 Trio. Nein, mit solchen Advokaten – Dialogue 5:00 5 Duet. Komm mit mir zum Souper – Dialogue 4:51 6 Trio. So muss allein ich bleiben – Dialogue 4:08 7 Trinke, Liebchen, trinke schnell 3:00 8 Ich höre Stimmen! 2:03 9 Mein Herr, was dächten Sie von mir 2:32 10 Nein, nein, ich zweifle gar nicht mehr 3:08 Act II 11 Ein Souper heut uns winkt – Dialogue 4:08 12 Couplet. Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein – Dialogue 4:16 13 Ach, meine Herr'n und Damen 1:10 14 Mein Herr Marquis – Dialogue 7:30 15 Duet. Dieser Anstand, so manierlich – Dialogue 5:22 16 Csárdás. Klänge der Heimat – Dialogue 5:49 17 Im Feuerstrom der Reben 2:09 18 Herr, Chevalier, ich grüsse Sie! 5:28 19 Ballet Music 7:04 20 Dialogue. Durchlaucht, seine Majestät der Kaiser ist am Telefon 1:16 Gala Sequence 21 Vilja-Lied Renata Tebaldi (soprano) 5:04 22 Domino Fernando Corena (bass) 2:12 23 I Could Have Danced All Night Birgit Nilsson (soprano) 2:47 24 Passione Mario del Monaco (tenor) 2:39 25 Lullaby Teresa Berganza (mezzo-soprano), Felix Lavilla (piano) 1:57 26 Il Bacio Dame Joan Sutherland (soprano) 4:06 27 Dein ist mein ganzes Herz Jussi Björling (tenor) 4:08 28 Summertime Leontyne Price (soprano) 3:08 29 Anything you can do I can do better Giulietta Simionato (mezzo-soprano), Ettore Bastianini (baritone) 3:47 30 Wien, Wien nur du Allein Ljuba Welitsch (soprano) 1:37 Act Two (Conclusion) 31 Genug damit, genug 4:22 Act III 32 Entracte 0:57 33 Dialogue. Herr Direktor! Wo is'er denn? – Ein fideles Gefängnis – No. 13, Melodrama 8:41 34 Couplet. Spiel' ich die Unschuld vom Lande – Dialogue 9:41 35 Ich stehe voll Zagen – Dialogue 7:55 36 Finale. O Fledermaus, o Fledermaus 2:39 Please Note: This release was edited in DXD PCM from a DSD256 Master then the DXD edited master was used to generate the final DSD files using Merging Technologies Album Publishing. DXD (352.8KHz 24/32 bit PCM) is one of the best and least destructive formats for post-processing DSD originated digital recordings Copyright © & ℗ High Definition Tape Transfers, Inc. 2026, including all compilation, transfer, remastering, and restoration aspects Play Sample Tracks