LEHAR: “DAS LAND DES LAECHELNS.” Helen Donath,...

LEHAR: “DAS LAND DES LAECHELNS.” Helen Donath, Brigitte Lindner, Siegfried Jerusalem, Klaus Hirte, singers; Chor des Bayerishcen Rundfunks; Muenchner Rundfunksorchester conducted by Willi Boskovsky. EMI CDCB-47604 (two compact discs). Lehar’s 1929 operetta approaches masterpiece status, not for the anachronistic libretto larded with dollops of sexism and racism, but for its profusion of airy, voluptuous melodic material, scarcely a dull patch over the two-hour span. In this 5-year-old recording appearing domestically for the first time, Boskovsky and his Bavarian Radio forces miss nothing of the sensuality, glamour and charm of the piece. As SouChong, the Chinese prince who takes a Western bride, Jerusalem delivers an impeccably mellifluous “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz,” while Donath’s Lisa finds the right note of engaging suavity.