Wagner: Die Walküre - Varnay, Hotter, Nilsson, Vinay, Greindl, von Milinkovic; Knappertsbusch. Bayreuth, 1957

$12.95



Listen to a Sample:

 

Pros:

  • Astrid Varnay brings robust athleticism, as well as touching vulnerability to the title role.
  • Hans Hotter was not having the best day vocally, but he still manages to capture the stoic mourning of Wotan's final moments to devastating effect.
  • A young Birgit Nilsson, freshly promoted from Valkyries and other smaller parts, gets a chance to sink her teeth into the role of Sieglinde. She brings all of her signature vocal steel, as well as a lyricism that would begin to elude her as she waded deeper into the Wagner pool.
  • The baritonal color, power and sweet lyricism of Ramón Vinay's tenor voice make him the ideal Siegmund.

Cons:

  • None to mention.

In Mono

OD 11871-3