This gala evening in the beautiful Semperoper devoted to operetta melodies
with classic superstars Renée Fleming and Christopher Maltman under the
baton of Christian Thielemann was a tremendous success and, as Deutsche
Grammophon put it, started "a new tradition". Thielemann, heading the
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and an ensemble of distinguished soloists
and choral singers, presents the most beautiful highlights from Franz
Lehár's "The Merry Widow" and succeeds in giving the famous and
universally beloved melodies a perceptive new reading while still creating
first-class entertainment. A short entr'acte performed in the foyer by
members of the theater's ballet ensemble allows the viewer a glimpse into
the luxurious interior of the Semperoper. The New Year's Eve gala concert
ends with an homage to Dresden: the waltz "An der Elbe", the last waltz
written by Johann Strauss.