Wagner

Die Walküre

Dernesch, Vermeersch, C. Watson, Katz, Coster, Stamm; Wallat
Köln, 1972

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Die Walküre

When Herbert von Karajan cast Helga Dernesch as Brünnhilde in his recording of Der Ring des Nibelungen, he opted to have her sit out Die Walküre in favor of Régine Crespin. For those familiar with that cycle who have wondered how Dernesch would fare as the Walküre Brünnhilde, this recording offers the answer. She starts strong, delivering the demanding "Hojotohos" with confidence and agility. However, she shows some fatigue in the final act, where one might expect her to truly shine given the role’s lower tessitura.

The Sieglinde here is the radiant Claire Watson. While her instrument may not have been the most inherently beautiful, she conveys Sieglinde’s sensitivity with great nuance and does not hold back in her ecstatic outburst in Act III. She is well-matched by Eberhard Katz as Siegmund, whose lyric tenor complements Watson’s performance effectively. Jef Vermeersch takes on Wotan, and though his voice may be a touch light for the role, it possesses an attractive quality and an ease in the upper register.

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4.0 Based on 3 reviews
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Fine Performance in Slightly Recessed Sound

If you've ever wondered what Dernesch would sound like as the Walkure Brunnhilde (she recorded the Siegfried and Gotterdammerung Brunnhildes for Karajan), look no further. The good news is that she's terrific. From an exciting "Ho-yo-to-
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Fine Performance In Slightly Recessed Sound

If you've ever wondered what Helga Dernesch would sound like as the Walkure Brunnhilde, look no further. The good news is that she is terrific. From an exciting "Ho-yo-to-ho!" to a sumptuous Todesverkundigung to a heart-breaking final scene, she lives up to her reputation as a fine singing actress. Claire Watson was in the twilight of her career when this was recorded, but she is in fine form here. Eberhard Katz was an excellent tenor who didn't have a big career outside of Europe. He was also the Siegmund for Sawallisch in his 1968 RAI Ring cycle. Jef Vermeesch was a Belgian bass-baritone who makes quite a favorable impression in this performance, the voice sleek and beautiful, perhaps a little small for these parts in a big theater. His Rheingold Wotan in this cycle is also impressive . The excellent English mezzo Janet Costor sings a blistering Fricka; she is the Waltraute in this cycle's Gotterdammerung. Wallat conducts an uncut, well-paced performance.The sound is listenable; one doesn't have to work as hard hearing the voices as in some other performances. This Wallat cycle is shaping up to be a memorable experience - on to Siegfried!
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Mark H.✓ Verified Buyer
Overall rating

Mark Hood

Claire Watson was born in New York. She was not english.She made her home in Germany in the late 50′s being based at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich for many years.
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