I have 25 complete Ring cycles in my collection and a number of singleton Ring operas as well. This Kempe recording from Stockholm has jumped to the top of the list. It is the Götterdämmerung that has determined this surprise result. Everything about it is wonderful. This far supersedes Kempe’s 1960 Ring, commercially available. He was apparently effected by the Viking atmosphere of the final opera.His cast is in G’dämm is hard to beat. Yes, there are superior Rings out there in terms of overall casting but not many, if any, that can match these lead singers in a live event. Act two, in particular, is very exciting. The amazing Berit Lindholm even surpasses Nilsson, live for Böhm at Bayreuth, in impact. She possesses the ability to soften her huge voice and sound vulnerable which was something the titanium-voiced Nilsson could never do, Helga Brilioth’s Siegfried is even better than he was for Karajan on DG. The live event set these singers alight. Bengt Rundgren, Eric Saedén and Laila Andersson-Palme are superb Gibichungs as well. She is especially notable as Gutrune, feminine and conniving as she should be. And last but not least Barbro Ericson’s deeply moving and vividly acted Waltraute.The chorus of men in Act 2 are thrilling. I saw in my mind’s eye the village men from Kattegat (Vikings), all hairy and burly and singing like Asatru gods. Bengt Rundgren may not have been Matti Salminen, but Kempe’s direction and the overwhelming atmosphere of pagan frenzy are awesome. The sound is brilliant and detailed, the orchestra plays like the best of them and Kempe urges, or simply allows them, to express their high level of accomplished performance without constraint and nary of hint of imperfection. Intonation in the winds is notably perfect in all those touchy long held chords.There is a wink link, it has to be said, in Siegfried, with an underpowered, though well-sung, Wanderer of Jerker Arvidson. Bjorn Asker’s Alberich would have been a better Wanderer. Ranger Ulfung’s Mime is the best I’ve ever heard. Die Walküre is very successful with Brilioth’s strong Siegmund, as he is for Horst Stein at Bayreuth in 1970. David Ward is a very strong and powerful Wotan, which surprised me. And Barbro Ericson Fricka is right up there with Christa Ludwig, Yvonne Minton and Waltraud Meier (Haitink) and other great singers that have recorded this role. Siv Wennberg, who also sings Skuld (the third Norn) has a less powerful voice than Lindholm (who doesn’t?). The valkyries are well-matched, sing in tune, and project individuality.The audience if silence, as if mesmerized, until the ends of the acts. The ovation at the end of Acts 2 and 3 of Götterdämmerung are overwhelming. Bravo Stockholm!This Ring, sadly missing Das Rheingold, is a must-have for all Wagnerians, especially for Lindholm’s antidote to the ubiquitous, and tiresome hardness of voice in these roles.

Interesting performances. Vocally quite variable with the women in general being more successful than the men. Lindholm especially delivers a thrilling performance.

I have seen many Rings, the first with Birgit Nilsson in Stockholm 1972. Among my records I have around 60 complete Rings. This 1975 Ring with Kempe conducting is the best Ring I have ever experienced in an operahouse. Lindholm is unbelievable, and all other artists are in top form, clearly inspired by maestro Kempe. The public just roared, the applauds never ending. Something to treasure for a lifetime!