[thunderbrick]

Aside from Elmer Fudd singing "Kill da Wabbit, Kill da Wabbit!" I'm a newbie on opera, but............

Stumbled on a 2-CD gala performance of Die Fledermaus on Decca that sounds FANTASTIC!  Tremendous clarity, yet non-fatiguing.  The notes suggest parts (all?) of it were recorded in 1960!  The second disc has songs by Lehar, Loewe, Irving Berlin and Gershwin (WTF?), but regardless, it all sounds wonderful.  Highly recommended!

[woodsyi]

That is a great recording of a really fun operetta.  You really can't go wrong with a Viennese operetta on a New Year's Day (or Eve).  Fun but ludicrous plot leads to lots of singing, dancing and drinking.  Very pretty music with lots of Waltz and Polka and drinking -- what's not to like? 

Vilja-Lied (sung by Tibaldi on the second disk)is a tradition in my house for NYE.  The whole Merry Widow is.