Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

Another entry in the immortal catalogue of conductor Carlos Kleiber (1930–2004), a colossus among 20th-century musicians. Although Kleiber had one of the most limited repertoires of any conductor, within his sphere he was often unapproachable. His legendary recording of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has been called the greatest of all the countless versions recorded over the past hundred years. Likewise his recording of Weber’s Der Freischütz, called by some critics “the greatest opera recording ever made.”

Born in Berlin to a father who was also a famous conductor — Erich Kleiber — Carlos was taken to Argentina as a small child when his family fled Nazi Germany. He worked his way up through the European opera houses, demanding exacting standards of his players, becoming reclusive, and never giving interviews. He never held a permanent position with any orchestra, preferring to remain a wandering “guest conductor.” He was especially famous for his opera performances, and Der Rosenkavalier was among those in which he was considered peerless.