Cars became a symbol of both technical progress and economic prosperity in Wilhelmine Germany. For those who could afford one, a car became a status symbol even before it became a regular means of transportation. Driving thus became a pastime for many members of the middle and upper classes, especially in Germany’s urban centers. This duet from the operetta Hochparterre links (1906), performed at Berlin’s Thalia Theater, humorously describes the joys—and risks—of driving an automobile. The composer Paul Lincke (1866-1946), who wrote the score, is considered the father of the Berlin operetta. Lincke was also the author of Berlin’s unofficial anthem, “Berliner Luft,” and he celebrated many successes on the stage during his career. This recording of “Auto-Duett,” which uses a shortened version of the song from the operetta, features two well-known recording artists of the time: Berlin singer and actress Grete Wiedecke and singer Carl Nebe, who also performed with his own male vocal quartet.