Der Rosenkavalier

This video is a snapshot of a historic performance. It also captures the staging of the postwar Vienna opera.

Von Karajan is the conductor with his control of the orchestra and lush support without going over the top was he was want to do latter in his career when operas became orchestral with voice accompaniment.

But Schwarzkopf is the star. One can argue whether she or Lotte Lehman is the definitive Marschallin, but her performance is radiant, silver, and profound.

She had the beauty, voice, and mind to pull this off and it would be a challenge to watch the end of the first act without tears.

Sena Jurinac is the Octavian. She was also a Marschallin and performs the trouser part convincingly with incredible voice.

Any lover of this opera should have this video as a landmark in the true performance tradition.