Astrid Varnay's career was one of the most remarkable and multifaceted of the 20th century, spanning over five decades from her electrifying debut as Sieglinde in Die Walküre in 1941 to her final performance in 1995. This recording offers a rare and invaluable retrospective, capturing nearly thirty years of her artistry. From the stunning Götterdämmerung Immolation Scene, performed under Erich Kleiber in 1947, to her chilling yet deeply human portrayal of Klytämnestra in Elektra in 1975, each selection reveals a different facet of her commanding presence.

I am especially pleased to present this collection, as Varnay left relatively few studio recordings, making this compilation all the more essential. The program includes powerful excerpts from Cavalleria Rusticana, Tiefland, Jenůfa, Elektra, Tristan und Isolde, Die Walküre, and Götterdämmerung, offering a compelling portrait of an artist whose dramatic intensity and vocal adaptability remained undiminished throughout her extraordinary career.