For the 1956 Bayreuth Ring Wieland Wagner made some casting changes. Most of the main roles were sung by the Usual Suspects, but Maria von Ilosvay, normally heard as Erda, agreed to sing Flosshilde so that Jean Madeire could sing the Earth goddess. Greindl, normally Fafner, switched to Fasolt so that Arnold Van Mill could sing the more brutish of the two giants.The trio of Rhinedaughters in the first scene is one of the best, aided by Lore Wissmann's shining top Cs. Milinkovic is a very effective Fricka and Madeira's Erda is a classic portrayal, the voice steady and sure; she inspires the requisite awe. The entire cast is great and works together well. Knappertsbusch is a master of pacing. Some tempi are slower than usual, but he knows where not to dawdle.This was the season that Wieland insisted on using some kind of electric effect for the anvils heard in the interludes before and after scene three. It is bizarre, to say the least. It doesn't ruin the performance, just makes it stand out in a different way. The sound is superb: clear, focused, and detailed. Onto Die Walkure!