Johan Strauss: Die Fledermaus

[Barbirollians]

I have , after a difficult and tiring work week , been enjoying listening to the legendary and uplifting Clemens Krauss recording with Patzak , Gueden et al this morning . My first recording was the rather derided for its audience noise in Act 2 Previn recording - but I am very fond of it including as it does no less than Alfredo Kraus in the Italian Tenor's aria .

What is your favourite and does it cheer you up too ?

[Barbirollians]

Clearly too lowbrow

[LeMartinPecheur]

Clearly too lowbrow

Not completely chez LMP! I have just two CD recordings on the shelves. The most useful is Barb's Clemens Krauss recording, the other is a strange Italian reissue of the 50s(?) DGG RIAS Orch/ Fricsay version that I dug out of a bargain-bin years ago and never really got on with because it had no useful info - even in Italian - about what is actually going on! Ought to give it another try now I have a slightly better idea from the Krauss and TV performances.

[Petrushka]

I have , after a difficult and tiring work week , been enjoying listening to the legendary and uplifting Clemens Krauss recording with Patzak , Gueden et al this morning . My first recording was the rather derided for its audience noise in Act 2 Previn recording - but I am very fond of it including as it does no less than Alfredo Kraus in the Italian Tenor's aria .

What is your favourite and does it cheer you up too ?

Without question it's the Boskovsky recording on EMI with, amongst others, Brigitte Fassbaender and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. I bought the LPs in 1973 and have it now on CD. Guaranteed to cheer up the most miserable.

I also have Karajan's Philharmonia version.

[MickyD]

I love the DVD of Domingo's Covent Garden conducting début, with Kiri Te Kanawa, Benjamin Luxon and Hermann Prey. It's enormous fun - with no less than Charles Aznavour and Hinge and Bracket during the party scene!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

VPO/Karajan on Decca. The downside is the faked gala scene - faked because most of the glittering cast of soloists were recorded in other countries/continents with other orchestras.

[Dave2002]

Maybe I've only got one set on CD - Otto Ackermann with the Philharmonia - and others such as Walter Berry, Christa Ludwig.
Always enjoyed it. I think the Glyndebourne DVD is very good. Haven't seen it live for years.

This one is free to stream for Am Prime users - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Johann-Stra...+Fledermaus+cd

[Conchis]

VPO/Karajan on Decca. The downside is the faked gala scene - faked because most of the glittering cast of soloists were recorded in other countries/continents with other orchestras.

I love it. Totally gimmicky and of its time - it was all Culshaw's idea. He sent the records to Flagstad, his 'surrogate-mother' (in his dreams) but she didn't 'find the celebrities adding to my liking.'

I'd go for the Krauss as cited above, or the mono Karajan set with the Philharmonia, though the Previn (also mentioned above) is the most recommendable 'modern' version.

As a piece, it's a load of fluff, but there are times when we need fluff.....

[Dave2002]

I love it. Totally gimmicky and of its time - it was all Culshaw's idea. He sent the records to his Flagstad, his 'surrogate-mother' (in his dreams) but she didn't 'find the celebrities adding to my liking.'

I'd go for the Krauss as cited above, or the mono Karajan set with the Philharmonia, though the Previn (also mentioned above) is the most recommendable 'modern' version.

As a piece, it's a load of fluff, but there are times when we need fluff.....

Nowt wrong with a bit of fluff.

[Barbirollians]

Maybe I've only got one set on CD - Otto Ackermann with the Philharmonia - and others such as Walter Berry, Christa Ludwig.
Always enjoyed it. I think the Glyndebourne DVD is very good. Haven't seen it live for years.

This one is free to stream for Am Prime users - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Johann-Stra...+Fledermaus+cd

Yes and sounds perfectly good and is coupled with some vintage recordings of Viennese operetta favourites

[Barbirollians]

Yes and sounds perfectly good and is coupled with some vintage recordings of Viennese operetta favourites

Bought a copy of the VPO/Karajan - very good but Krauss has the edge despite the much better sound in 1960.

I like the gala scene even if faked and the big stars generally sing very much in spirit of the thing .