This performance took place on 15 October 1976; 24 October 1976 was the Götterdämmerung performance in this Ring cycle (https://archiv.wiener-staatsoper.at/performances/12022)

The correct date for this performance is October 15, 1976.

This Rheingold was the debut of Peter Hofmann at Vienna State Opera. One can immediately hear why so many impresarios sat up and took notice. Hofmann's voice is strong and steady and he does something with the text; this is not the typical sprechstimme, cackling Loge. A pity then that he wore off the vocal enamel on his voice very quickly, leaving a wobbly, unwieldy sound less than a decade later.The rest of the cast is excellent. Some opera lovers get tired of seeing Theo Adam's name in so many Wagner performances from this period (rather like people getting tired of seeing James Morris' name in so many Met Wagner performances), but he is in splendid form here. The voice was never an especially attractive one, but his fierce intelligence, reliability, and superb diction count for a lot. Grace Hoffman is a terrific Fricka and Margarita Lilowa (a member of the Vienna State Opera ensemble for years) a memorable Erda. The Rhinedaughters, headed by Lotte Rysanek (sister of Leonie), sing strongly and well. Stein leads a spirited performance that bodes well for the rest of the cycle.This is indeed in better sound than the previous issue of it on Opera Depot though it still clearly derives from an in-house tape. The voices are clearly heard, a few minor volume drops excepted.Onto Die Walküre!