Customer Reviews

Wagner: Die Walküre [Hybrid SACD]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is without a doubt the best-sounding ring on the market(meaning audio-quality.) Beyond the sound-which has to be heard to be believed-probably as stunning now as the Solti Wagner operas were back then-the roles are filled by accomplished and at times, exemplary singers. The Wotan is unbelievable-surely the star of the set. asher fisch seems like a good conductor-kind of in the style of solti-swift yet secure, detailed and refined. A must for lovers of this opera and wagner in general-as well as newbies.

It's about time an Australian recording of Wagner's ring appeared in the catalogues. This is a wonderful performance in all reagards. The singing is sublime and the orchestral playing almost faultless, especially considering the recordings were made live, in Adelaide's festival theatre. Also, if you have a surround system, you're in for a real treat.

I have to agree that this is a great sounding production with excellent conducting and orchestral playing. The singing is generally good but suffers from a Brunnhilde whose vibrato is pretty wobbly. Lisa Gasteen reminds me of another soprano who was a fine singing actress with an uncontrollable wobble--Gynneth Jones. The recording here is very atmospheric with a wide sound stage and with a minimum of stage noise. Otherwise an excellent listening experience. This release pretty much reflects the level of present available Wagnerian singing quality throughout the world. For my tastes, the strongest Die Walkure recording I would recommend is Leinsdorf's 1960 early stereo RCA/Decca release with the likes of George London and Birgit Nilsson starring. London's only studio recorded Walkure Wotan and Birgit's first Brunnhilde. Incomparable!