Richard Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59: Waltzes (Arr. Otto Singer)

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"Der Rosenkavalier" is a comic opera in three acts by Richard Strauss, with the libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Here is a short summary: Act 1: Set in 18th century Vienna, the opera opens with the Marschallin, Princess Marie Thérèse, in bed with her young lover, Count Octavian. Their morning is interrupted by the arrival of Baron Ochs, the Marschallin's crude cousin, who announces his engagement to Sophie von Faninal, the daughter of a wealthy bourgeois. Ochs asks the Marschallin to suggest a young nobleman to present Sophie with a traditional silver engagement rose. The Marschallin recommends Octavian, who disguises himself as a maid to avoid being discovered by Ochs. Amid the chaos, the Marschallin reflects on the passing of time and her fading beauty. Act 2: Octavian, in his role as the "Rosenkavalier" (Knight of the Rose), presents the silver rose to Sophie, and the two instantly fall in love. Baron Ochs arrives, revealing his boorish and lecherous nature, which repels Sophie. She and Octavian plot to thwart the engagement. They arrange for Ochs to meet with "Mariandel," Octavian's maid disguise, to expose his character. Act 3: The final act takes place in an inn, where Ochs eagerly awaits his rendezvous with "Mariandel." Instead, he is tricked and humiliated by Octavian, Sophie, and their accomplices. The Marschallin arrives to find Octavian and Sophie together. Realizing Octavian's love for Sophie, she gracefully steps aside, acknowledging that it is time for the young lovers to be together. The opera ends with Octavian and Sophie expressing their love and the Marschallin accepting her inevitable solitude. "Der Rosenkavalier" is renowned for its lush orchestration, intricate characterizations, and themes of love, time, and the bittersweet nature of life.

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The role of Octavian is traditionally played by a female singer, specifically a mezzo-soprano. This type of role is known as a "trouser role" or "breeches role," where a female performer portrays a male character. The practice of casting women in these roles dates back to the Baroque and Classical periods of opera and continues in modern productions. In "Der Rosenkavalier," the portrayal of Octavian by a female singer adds to the opera's themes of disguise and gender fluidity, particularly in scenes where Octavian himself is disguised as the maid "Mariandel."

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Must've practiced 40 hours to perform this