Der Rosenkavalier marks a transition from Strauss’s two earlier operas, Salome and Elektra. Set in eighteenth century Vienna, the opera marks the change in the affections of the young aristocrat Octavian from the worldly-wise Marschallin to the innocent Sophie. For this recording, the composer was the originally intended conductor, but owing to his high fee, he was replaced by the experienced opera conductor Robert Heger. The principals were all taken by the most outstanding exponents of the day. Lotte Lehmann sings the rôle of the Marschallin, while her frequent partner as Sophie was the experienced soprano Elizabeth Schumann. Octavian and Baron Ochs were taken by the stars of the Vienna State Opera, Maria Olszewska and Richard Mayr.