Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Box Set]

Read About This Recording

Daniel Barenboim's Wagner interpretations are now in a class of their own. -Musik & Theater

The Bayreuth Festival is the Mecca for Wagner lovers and performances of the entire Ring of the Nibelungen Cycle are cherished happenings. The production of a new Ring at the Bayreuth Festival is an event that takes place every six years, and Bayreuth recordings of the complete cycle are rare; this incredible set conducted by Daniel Barenboim is only the third official audio recording and the second filmed version that has been made, and what a set it is!

First and foremost is the recorded sound. There is a rich resonance that makes Wagner's sonorities literally boom from the speakers. You will hear inner voices in the large orchestra that bring Wagner's leitmotifs right to the fore, and this is orchestral playing that is absolutely superior.

As to the cast, every voice from lowest to highest fits its part ideally, but what is most important is the way Wagner's characters, a fascinating bunch to say the least, come to life. These recorded performances are based on repeated live performances and that experience is invaluable.

Finally, one must comment on Barenboim's interpretation of this amazing drama. This talented musician shapes the action and drives it all while maintaining the breadth and airiness that Wagner's music calls for.

This is a set of Wagner's Ring Cycle that ranks with the best ever made.

-Jacob Anthony

Quotes

The foremost Wagner conductor of our time. -Opera Now

I am more than ever impressed by Barenboim's exciting, excitable conducting. His ability to integrate massive dramatic peaks within the 'symphonic' span of Wagner's long action-packed acts, his evident love of Wagner's orchestrations and his deeply felt response to Wagner's most profound utterances make this the most compelling of modern recorded Rings. -BBC Music Magazine

A golden year indeed for my reviewing activity. Bracketed as a single choice, I would choose the Barenboim/Teldec performances of Rheingold and Die Walkure, both in their CD and video incarnations. -Gramophone

Daniel Barenboim's Wagner interpretations are now in a class of their own. -Musik & Theater

From the moment that Alberich's low woodwind companions darken the Rhine-scene with breathtaking sleight of hand, we know this is to be a Ring full of textural revelations. ... Taken as a whole, there is no Ring in the catalogue that makes you think so long and deep about the music and the drama. -Hi-Fi News

The chorus is excellent and the orchestra ... offers a magnificently homogenous sound mass which emphasizes above all the phrasing and legato. The master builder is, of course, Daniel Barenboim, who has scored an immense personal success and of whom we can be proud. In a word, a fascinating tetralogy. -Le Figaro

Contents

Das Rheingold (4 Scenes):

Wotan, John Tomlinson, Bass; Donner, Bodo Brinkmann, Baritone; Froh, Kurt Schreibmayer, Tenor; Loge, Graham Clark, Tenor; Fricka, Linda Finnie, Mezzo-Soprano; Freia, Eva Johansson, Soprano; Erda, Birgitta Svenden, Mezzo-Soprano; Alberich, Gunter von Kannen, Baritone; Mime, Helmut Pampuch, Tenor; Fasolt, Matthias Holle, Bass; Fafner, Philip Kang, Bass; Woglinde, Hilde Leidland, Soprano; Wellgunde, Annette Kuttenbaum, Mezzo-Soprano; Flosshilde, Jane Turner, Mezzo-Soprano. Includes 203-page booklet with synopsis and libretto in English, German and French.

Die Walkure (3 Acts):

Siegmund, Poul Elming, Tenor; Hundig, Matthias Holle, Bass; Wotan, John Tomlinson, Bass; Sieglinde, Nadine Secunde, Soprano; Brunnhilde, Anne Evans, Soprano; Fricka, Linda Finnie, Mezzo-Soprano; Gerhilde, Eva Johansson, Soprano; Ortlinde, Ruth Floeren, Soprano; Waltraute, Shirley Close, Mezzo-Soprano; Schwertleite, Hitomi Katagiri, Mezzo-Soprano; Helmwige, Eva-Maria Bundschuh, Soprano; Siegrune, Linda Finnie, Mezzo-Soprano; Grimgerde, Birgitta Svenden, Mezzo-Soprano; Rossweisse, Hebe Dijkstra, Mezzo-Soprano. Includes 227-page booklet with synopsis and libretto in English, German and French.

Siegfried (3 Acts):

Siegfried, Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor; Mime, Graham Clark, Tenor; Der Wanderer, John Tomlinson, Bass; Alberich, Gunter von Kannen, Baritone; Fafner, Philip Kang, Bass; Brunnhilde, Anne Evans, Soprano; Erda, Birgitta Svenden, Mezzo-Soprano; Waldvogel, Hilde Leidland, Soprano. Includes 247-page booklet with synopsis and libretto in English, German and French.

Gotterdammerung (3 Acts):

Siegfried, Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor; Gunther, Bodo Brinkmann, Baritone; Hagen, Philip Kang, Bass; Alberich, Gunter von Kannen, Baritone; Brunnhilde, Anne Evans, Soprano; Gutrune, Eva-Maria Bundschuh, Soprano; Waltraute, Waltraud Meier, Mezzo-Soprano; Erste Norn, Birgitta Svenden, Mezzo-Soprano; Zweite Norn, Linda Finnie, Mezzo-Soprano; Dritte Norn, Ute Priew, Mezzo-Soprano; Woglinde, Hilde Leidland, Soprano; Wellgunde, Annette Kuttenbaum, Mezzo-Soprano; Flosshilde, Jane Turner, Mezzo-Soprano. Includes 231-page booklet with synopsis and libretto in English, German and French.

Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele; Daniel Barenboim, Conductor.

Also includes a bonus DVD featuring extracts from Unitel's video of this production.