This is a very strange recording of Bernstein´s Candide. It is a live concert performance narrated by a character called Loriot who seems to be very popular in Germany. Hell, he even gets top billing and the cover of the album!
The narration in German can be a little irritating for an American operetta, but the performance is actually quite good. Best of all is the super virtuoso playing of the former RIAS Symphonieorchester, they even eclipse the LSO in Bernstein´s own recording. It is also surprising to find Harnoncourt´s favourite mezzo, Marjana Lipovsek as the "Old Lady". But she is very entertaining, and obviously enjoys her song. Sylvia Koke also is splendid as Cunegonde, and "Glitter and be gay" is dispatched with impressive ease. Only Jerry Hadley, who also sang the title role for Bernstein, is a let down, his voice sounds worn and no longer fresh. Sadly, he committed suicide a few years later.