Libretto by Josef Braun (Dialogues) & Richard Genée / Dialogue version: Andre Meyer. Johann Strauss’s Der Carneval in Rom (The Carnival in Rome) of 1873 was unfortunately completely overshadowed by the premiere of his world hit Die Fledermaus only one year later – and yet it is in everyway a match for it. Musically, the grand duets, arias, and above all the Finales I and II in the Carneval rank with the finest pieces ever composed by Strauss. The successful modern revival of the work was based on the New Johann Strauss Complete Edition of Vienna and performed at the Dresden State Operetta in 2004 under the conductor Ernst Theis. The cast from this production is heard on this recording.