Description:

As Wotan, Donald McIntyre strikes a perfect balance between grandeur, eloquence, charm, greed, and ambition. He is joined by a stellar ensemble cast, including Anna Reynolds, who brings a sensitive vulnerability to Fricka, moving away from the character's typical shrewishness, and the outstanding Loge of Hermin Esser. Gustav Neidlinger’s Alberich may lack some of the brute force seen in other portrayals, but his characterization—much like McIntyre's—feels more nuanced and at times surprisingly sympathetic. Horst Stein’s conducting is fluid and meticulous, guiding the orchestra with subtlety so that it never overshadows the singers. The sound quality is generally strong, though there are a few brief moments of skipping.

OD 10800-2