Wagner: Das Rheingold - Adam, Hoffman, Cordes, Stolze, Hopf, Meyfarth, Frick; Klobucar, 1964
Wagner: Das Rheingold - Adam, Hoffman, Cordes, Stolze, Hopf, Meyfarth, Frick; Klobucar, 1964
Wagner: Das Rheingold - Adam, Hoffman, Cordes, Stolze, Hopf, Meyfarth, Frick; Klobucar, 1964
Wagner: Das Rheingold - Adam, Hoffman, Cordes, Stolze, Hopf, Meyfarth, Frick; Klobucar, 1964

Wagner

Das Rheingold

Adam, Hoffman, Cordes, Stolze, Hopf, Meyfarth, Frick; Klobucar, 1964

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Das Rheingold

Richard Wagner

Although the premiere of a Ring Cycle at Bayreuth will always be a very special occasion, some of the most satisfying performances come from the last years of a given production, after a cast has had many summers to refine their approach and find new nuances. Such is the case for this performance of Das Rheingold, particularly the dynamic between Theo Adam as Wotan and Gerhard Stolze as Loge. The interaction between Stolze and Adam is so natural that they almost give the impression that they are actors in a play as opposed to singers. That is not to say that their singing is any less distinguished. Adam in particular sounds as fresh and virile as ever. Grace Hoffman adds needed sympathy to the role of Fricka. The one newcomer to the production is Berislav Klobucar. Klobucar's take on the Ring seems a little more organic compared with Kempe's manicured approach and he deftly curates the moments when to let the orchestra sing and when they should accompany the singers.

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4.3 Based on 3 reviews
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4 ★ 2
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Excellent Performance in Very Good Sound!

For whatever reason, Kempe was replaced by Klobucar for the last presentation of this cycle. His conducting is perhaps not as fluid as Kempe's, but he moves the opera along well and doesn't allow it to drag (and Rheingold can drag if not conducted well).His cast is chock full of veterans who all know their roles and sing expertly. Adam, Hoffman, Stolze, Frick, Klaus, Hoffgen, Cordes, etc. are just as good here as they were in previous cycles. Kelemen sings superbly as Alberich with that wonderfully distinctive voice: once heard it is immediately recognizable. The Rhinedaughters are terrific again (though Holt flies a little sharp on her top C's). The sound is very good, aside from a few minor glitches in the original tape source. I'm very thankful to Andy and Opera Depot for making these performances available to future generations. The musical standards were very high as anyone listening to these broadcasts can hear. Onto Walkure!
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Jukeboxtheater✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

So glad I purchased this!

This is one of the best performances of Das Rheingold I've heard! The entire cast is first rate, even the small parts (including one of the most memborable Froh's ever in Han Hopf). I've never been a huge fan of Theo Adam, but here his characteristic wobble is almost wholely absent. And, as Andy mentioned above, it's a real treat to hear him spar with Stolze's characterful Loge, instead of the dull demi-god Windgassen gave us. Klobucar was new to me, but he gives a juicy, red meat performance of the score. The sound is also excellent, and so far I've only listened to the mp3. Highly recommended!
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Gérard S.✓ Top Reviewer

France

Overall rating

Gérard STEIN

Donnez moi le Ring de 1954 et le Götterdammerung de 1963 et j'aurai toutes les versions de Bayreuth entre 1951 et 1971
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