Der Rosenkavalier is my favourite Strauss opera, especially for its magnificent final trio. It is a very long opera, but always interesting with a great story and characters that are helped by a very specific libretto. While I prefer the 1962 and 1985 productions and perhaps also the 1994 production, this Der Rosenkavalier is still very strong.
The production is visually opulent, with sumptuous costumes and beautifully crafted sets and further advantaged by good picture quality and camera work. The wonderful music is passionately performed, and Herbert Von Karajan brings a pleasingly romantic touch to it.
Performance-wise, I can't really fault this Der Rosenkavalier. Regardless of whether she is rather matronly, Anna Tomowa-Sintow as the Marschallin more than makes up for it with her musicality, her dark limpid voice and her sincerity. Janet Perry is a beautiful and more than ideal Sophie, and Agnes Baltsa is a very convincing Oktavian. Kurt Moll is one of the best Baron Ochs' I know of, Ochs is essentially an annoying and nasty character but Moll avoids making the character a caricature that can elude some other bass-baritones/basses in the role.
All in all, one of my favourite operas done very well. 9/10 Bethany Cox
