The Merry Widow by Lehár, Vin 31 Dec. 2010, De la (2010/2010), Dirijor Christian Thielemann, Semperoper, Dresden, Germany

This gala evening at the beautiful Semperoper, dedicated to the melodies of operettas with classical music superstars Renée Fleming and Christopher Maltman, conducted by Christian Thielemann, was a huge success and began, as Deutsche Grammophon put it, "a new tradition". Thielemann, who is leading the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden with an ensemble of well-known soloists and choir singers, presents the most beautiful highlights from Franz Lehár's "The Merry Widow", succeeds in giving the famous and universally popular melodies a sensitive new interpretation and yet first-class entertainment to accomplish. He is joined by the singularly attractive star soloist duo who sing the work's lead roles: soprano Renée Fleming, three-time Emmy-winning, Grammy-winning and "People's Diva" (The Times) renée, and baritone Christopher Maltman, both of whom delight prove it in the music. Joining the world-class soloists are exciting young performers Carolina Ullrich and Andrej Dunaev. A short entr'acte, performed in the foyer by members of the theater's ballet company, allows the viewer a glimpse into the luxurious interior of the Semperoper, one of Germany's oldest opera houses and, according to many, the most beautiful. After a few encores with more swinging melodies by Lehár and Bernstein, the New Year's Eve gala concert ends with a homage to Dresden: the waltz "An der Elbe", the last waltz written by Johann Strauss.