In the 1950s Ferenc Fricsay was almost the only conductor to perform Rossini's Stabat Mater in Germany.With this interpretation of the Stabat Mater Fricsay demonstrates that Rossini's music does not merely consist of operatic solo numbers accompanied by a spirited orchestra. Simply by casting singers such as Maria Stader and Ernst Haefliger, who generally showed a less operatic approach, Fricsay reveals his discovery of subtle musical interactions in Rossini's dramaturgy.The RIAS Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble of international standing under Fricsay, realises his intentions in a precise and unpretentious fashion.