Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (Excerpts) - Nilsson, Hopf, Hines, Uhde, Windgassen, Frick, Töpper, Bjoner; Kempe. Bayreuth, 1960

$8.95



Listen to a Sample:

 

Pros:

  • This is the first time that the 1960 Bayreuth Ring Cycle is available as it was intended with Birgit Nilsson singing all three Brünnhildes (previous versions had used a performance of Die Walküre from later in the run featuring Astrid Varnay.)
  • Nilsson is at her absolute peak and exceeds the already high bar she had set in this role.
  • Hans Hopf's burly Siegfried has both power and boyish charm.
  • Jerome Hines delivers a heartbreaking Walküre Wotan (it is a shame that he didn't sing the other two as Hermann Uhde is not as distinguished.)
  • Wolfgang Windgassen's Siegmund gives the tenor a chance to show off his impressive lyricism
  • The sound is excellent.

Cons:

  • None to mention.

In Mono

OD 11656-2