Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss Metropolitan Opera March 7, 1995 This was a disappointing evening that I ended early. I had a seat against the far right side of the orchestra, under the overhand with poor sound, sitting next to a talkative drunk. I was especially interested in hearing Anne Sofie von Otter, who sang Octavian, but I could hardly hear her. She was beguiling on stage. What I did hear was pedestrian at best. I was tired after reading Pulitzer contest entries all day and that may have added to my discomfort. Whatever the reason, I left after act one and ate at Fiorellos, which Peter Schrag had recommended. That was the high point of the evening. James Levine conducting: steady, undistinguished sound. Mechthild Gessendorf sang the princess with a fine, mellow sound. Nobody else stood out.