'Dies Bildnis is bezaubernd schön', Taminos famous aria from Mozart's Zauberflöte, has become the signature piece of Fritz Wunderlichs 13-year career. It was his first stage role as a student on 21 July 1954, and it was the last piece he sang on 5 September 1966 during a guest performance at the Stuttgart State Opera in Edinburg. The recording on this album is from 17 April 1959. Most interesting are the excerpts from Schubert operas, including previously unreleased arias from Fierrabras, and excerpts from the generally unknown opera Die Wunderinsel. Music journalist Kurt Honolka combined pieces by Schubert, mostly from Alfonso und Estrella, with parts of Shakespeares The Tempest. The resulting pastiche was first performed in January 1958 at the Stuttgart Opera and recorded later that year. Arias by Beethoven and from Haydns Die Jahreszeiten complete this collection of classical arias. Of course, Wunderlich had a much wider repertoire, which is duly reflected in the SWR Edition 'Fritz Wunderlich The SWR Recordings'. This series contains all the recordings that the young singer, opera performer and later world star recorded for the SWR. Fritz Wunderlichs voice is simply incomparable, perfect in emotional expression.