Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Nilsson, Thomas, Veasey, McIntyre, Ward; Solti. London, 1971

$16.95

Listen to a Sample:

Pros:

I first got a copy of this performance almost 20 years ago. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I found the CDs riddled with skips. Since then I have been looking but have been unable to find a decent copy... until now.

All I can say is that is was well worth the wait. In 1971 (aged 53) Birgit Nilsson's voice still had its youthful sheen but with some very interesting auburn hues beginning to emerge as well.
A steady diet of Siegfrieds and Tristans would eventually take its toll on Jess Thomas' lyric heldentenor. Fortunately, this performance finds him in fresh voice and he delivers a superb performance, notable both for stentorian tones as well as senstivity.
Josephine Veasey as Brangäne, Donald McIntyre as Kurwenal and David Ward as Marke all rise to the very high bar set by the two leads.
To be certain, this performance is on the slower side, but somehow Georg Solti manages to maintain the forward direction of the melodic line, while giving the singers (and audience) a chance to luxuriate in the vocalism.