Carlos Kleiber is‚ for me‚ the outstanding Johann Strauss conductor of our time‚ finding grace and subtlety in the music that evades all others. His audio recording of Die Fledermaus (DG‚ 12/86) is widely acknowledged as nigh perfect‚ spoilt only by its bizarre casting of Ivan Rebroff as Orlofsky. Happily there’s no such drawback here; indeed there could scarcely be anyone better than Brigitte Fassbaender to portray the youthful Russian prince. My only real concern is with veteran baritone Waechter as Eisenstein‚ suggesting an elderly roué rather than youthful high spirits. Reviewing the Laserdisc issue (DG‚ 9/91)‚ Alan Blyth also expressed reservations about the two leading ladies; but I am totally won over by both their singing and their looks. In fact the performance captivates me from beginning to end. Günther Schneider­Siemssen’s lavish sets are magnificent‚ and Otto Schenk’s staging quite superb‚ with every movement apt to both music and situation. The riotous ballet sequence (Strauss’s Unter Donner und Blitz) justly stops the show. Brian Large’s film direction is perfectly judged‚ and the Act 2 finale‚ with Kleiber joyfully sharing the expressions of fraternity‚ is a particular moment to cherish. In Act 3‚ Franz Muxeneder’s comic Frosch completes the feeling of Viennese Gemütlichkeit. Moreover‚ Alan Blyth’s original concern about the lack of subtitles is duly answered. For this reviewer at least‚ this Fledermaus refreshes parts that other Fledermäuse do not reach. I really cannot imagine a more winning performance.