Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

Der Rosenkavalier, despite its nostalgic setting in eighteenth century Vienna, deals with a variety of issues current in the early 20th century. Two of the most obvious were the status of women and the pending collapse of the ruling hierarchy. Director Uwe Eric Laufenberg puts himself in that great tradition: with the action taking place after the Second World War, he works out some of the more timeless issues of the work: bittersweet pathos, satirical social criticism and sexual farce as well as multilayered, comic wit and psychological characterization. The top-notch cast is led by Anne Schwanewilms as the Marschallin, Kurt Rydl as Ochs and Anke Vondung as Octavian - all three play roles that have become cornerstones of their repertoire. The orchestra of the Semperoper in Dresden plays the work, which has been a centrepiece of their repertoire ever since its premiere, from the original scores and under the experienced baton of Maestro Fabio Luisi. The recording took place during a tour of the Semperoper company to Japan in November 2007 where they staged this Rosenkavalier to enormous success.