THE FORGOTTEN VERSION

Let's be clear right away, there are few operas which are pure masterpiece and which lunanimité. Mozart is carving the lion's share, of course, but The Knight of the Rose is among those.
Opera very accessible with a universal theme: time passes too quickly, that Strauss felt very early in life, and love which is stronger than anything. It's a bit of a wink Wave Mozart and his Marriage of Figaro (E. Kleiber or Karajan unsurpassable).

Yes there is an alternative to Karajan 1956 version which was much praised or that Derich Kleiber 1954. Böhm that of 1958.
It offers us the best interpreters of the time with, in other a Imrgard Seefried who still has all his voice, alas, not for long. The other singers are living up to our expectations. Rita Streich very pure in its acute and Marianne Schech very convincing. Freshness, natural, obvious and especially a palpable presence, disturbing.

The aesthetic is that of the early fifties, when the great lon was music for pleasure after the war years. The direction of Böhm is ideal. Never voices are not drowned in the orchestra as Karajan liked to do. The osmosis between the orchestra and the singers is total. It releases a lot of tenderness in this release. The criteria for "technical" as lon bed here and there Nont any interest.
By themselves the last twenty minutes of this opera melt the most hardened of heart.

The sound is of extraordinary quality (surprising for 1958). stereo gives depth. The voices are very well spatially and easily identifiable.
For lovers of this opera it is essential to know this version. For those who want to discover this version is ideal.
Jécoute often my version vinyl waiting for the day or a compact reissue will be released at a reasonable price.