Wagner

Die Walküre

Välkki, Meyfarth, Hotter, Uhl, Hoffman, Frick; Kempe
Bayreuth, 1963

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Die Walküre

This recording of Die Walküre is missing many of the names (i.e. Nilsson, Varnay, Rysanek) that we have come to associate with Bayreuth in the 1960s. Please do not let that deter you because I think you will be pleasantly surprised. In the title role Anita Välkki is remarkable. Her voice is youthful in nature but is also tireless in the dramatic moments which carries her far in creating a Brünnhilde, who, although a teenager, has an iron will worthy of her father. The same may be said for Jutta Meyfarth whose Sieglinde is both youthful and opulent. Hans Hotter, no stranger to Bayreuth, delivers a noble Wotan. Fritz Uhl, Grace Hoffman and Gottlob Frick round out this unexpectedly inspired cast.although it does get off to a rather rocky start in the opening minutes of the opera.

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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Fine Performance in Good Sound!

It becomes more apparent why this cycle is not better known. The cast is very good and, for the most part, so is the sound. But there is radio interference in some parts (not too bad), another performance can be heard faintly in the background throughout the last 35 minutes of Act Two, and there is some missing music in Act Three (the last 2-3 minutes of the Wotan/Valkyries scene). Furthermore there is a background rumbling in many sections that becomes annoying.If you can accept all that, the singers deliver. Meyfarth is not my favorite Sieglinde, but she knows what she's doing and sings well with an unexceptional voice. Valkki sings an exciting "Ho-jo-to-ho!" and performs the rest of the role very well. Why wouldn't the Wagners allow her an entire cycle?Hotter sounds in very good voice for the period. Hoffman is a regal, blistering Fricka, Frick a frightening Hunding, and Uhl a tender Siegmund. The Valkyries are good as well. There's nothing really new here as all these singers had performed their roles in earlier cycles. Not essential maybe, but Ring Nuts like myself will be pleased to have it, sound issues and all.
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