The star tenor and his operetta heroes. These legendary releases on the former Electrola label document Nicolai Gedda’s incomparable artistry as an operetta singer and have long enjoyed the status of benchmark recordings.

Appearing alongside such famous singers as Anneliese Rothenberger, Grace Bumbry, Rita Streich and Lucia Popp, Gedda made a number of exclusive recordings in the 1960s and 1970s, working under conductors of the eminence of Willi Boskovsky and Willy Mattes and preserving for posterity his acclaimed performances in the principal tenor roles in Lehár’s Paganini, Der Zarewitsch, Der Graf von Luxemburg and Das Land des Lächelns as well as Johann Strauß’s Der Zigeunerbaron.

If operettas are now enjoying a revival after decades of neglect, then this is due not least to artists such as Nicolai Gedda. The present album brings together five complete recordings showcasing the tenor in his finest operetta roles.

Contents:
CD 1 & 2
Strauß II: Der Zigeunerbaron
Grace Bumbry, Rita Streich, Biserka Cvejic, Gisela Litz, Nicolai Gedda, Kurt Böhme, Hermann Prey, Willi Brokmeier, Wolfgang Anheisser
Chor & Orchester der Bayerischen Staatsoper / Franz Allers
Recorded : July 1969, Bürgerbräu, Munich

CD 3 & 4
Lehár: Der Graf von Luxemburg
Nicolai Gedda, Lucia Popp, Kurt Böhme, Renate Holm, Willi Brokmeier, Gisela Litz
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper München, Symphonie-Orchester Graunke / Willy Mattes
Recorded : August 1968, Bürgerbräu, Munich

CD 5 & 6
Lehár: Paganini
Anneliese Rothenberger, Olivera Miljakovic, Nicolai Gedda, Heinz Zednik, Benno Kusche
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Bayerisches Symphonie-Orchester / Willi Boskovsky
Recorded: April & May 1977, Bürgerbräu, Munich

CD 7 & 8
Lehár: Der Zarewitsch
Nicolai Gedda, Rita Streich, Harry Friedauer, Ursula Reichart, Hans Söhnker
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Balalaika Ensemble Tschaika, Symphonie-Orchester Graunke / Willy Mattes
Recorded: June – August 1968, Bürgerbräu, Munich

CD 9 & 10
Lehár: Das Land des Lächelns
Anneliese Rothenberger, Renate Holm, Nicolai Gedda, Harry Friedauer
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Symphonie-Orchester Graunke / Willy Mattes
Recorded : June 1967, Bürgerbräu, Munich