This performance of Die Walküre is a fascinating companion to the 1976 Ring Cycle we released a couple of weeks ago. In that set, Birgit Nilsson opted out of the Walküre, and I had assumed it was because she might have been afraid of the "Hojotohos"—but this recording, also from 1976, proves that theory wrong. In fact, she sounds incredibly fresh throughout, while finding an even deeper emotional connection to the Act III duet with Wotan. Despite being eight years younger than Nilsson, Theo Adam manages to project fatherly warmth as Wotan. After having established herself as the Brünnhilde of the day, Gwyneth Jones makes a return to the role of Sieglinde, and this performance finds her at her greatest. Wolfgang Sawallisch paces the evening with great care, and