It says Cardiff, but is this not the performance in London at the ROH with the Welsh National Opera on 1 October 1986, broadcast by the BBC and available on other sites (e.g. Opera Passion) which often double Opera Depot's recordings?

Notable for an early look at Anne Evan's wonderful Brunnhilde, this WNO performance has many additional strengths to commend it. The sound is excellent and the diction throughout (with one exception) exemplary; there are occasional orchestral blips, and Anne Evans has a slight memory lapse in Act 2, but overall this is a performance of Wagner's great work that stands comparison with the best. Evans is committed, thoughtful and passionate as Brunnhilde, her very clear tone blossoming beautifully at the top; Lawton is more stolid as Siegfried, but is better than many and creates a real character; Tranter's Hagan is occasionally under the note, but again is fully believable and malevolent throughout. Norns, Rhinemaidens are good and there are strong performances from Payne as Waltraute (although she does stray from the notes at one point), Mora and Harries as the Gibichungs. Choral work is exciting and Armstrong leads a strong sense of ensemble. Well worth investigating - an inspiring and heart felt performance.

8th complete recording of this Opera in my collection (and - after the complete Goodall-Cycle - my 2nd in english), so quite an experience, again. This translation takes some of the dust off Wagners language, and - apart from some - very few - orchestral neboulosities of the recording (the recording of vocal parts is absolutely fine) the performance offers many highlights. Anne Evans really is an outstanding Brunhild, Lawton quite good as Siegfried, Tranter´s Hagen flawless. It wouldn´t be my first choice to take with me to the proverbial island, but it was well worth a first and - as of today - even a second listen, with - presumably ... no: probably - more to come. Get it. Listen to it. Listen to it again.

This is an exceptionally coherent, engaging, lyrical & poetic Götterdämmerung. Richard Armstrong, musical director of WNO during its glory years (1973-86), conducts it broadly in the Kempe/Karajan/Goodall mould. While some prefer more muscular or hard-driven approaches, he highlights the opera’s manifold beauties, without sacrificing dramatic power. This is helped by Andrew Porter’s vivid & mostly well enunciated English translation & the orchestra’s exemplary playing. As emphasised by Andy, the star of the show is Anne Evans (b. 1941), a great soprano of Welsh descent. She sounds even more ardent, youthful & lyrical here than in her renowned Bayreuth Brünnhildes under Daniel Barenboim (1989-94). The other female soloists are also very fine, especially the young Kathryn Harries (b. 1951). Jeffrey Lawton (1938-2018) was slightly ‘wooden’ to watch as Siegfried on stage (I attended 3 performances), but he had ample stamina & strong enunciation & here was often almost as lyrical as Alberto Remedios. Barry Mora’s Hagen is lucid & engaging & has presence, & Nicholas Folwell’s Alberich & John Tranter’s Gunther are well enunciated. The WNO chorus delivers impressive sound in Acts 2-3. Andy has not dated the recording. If it was from Cardiff (as specified), it was probably in 1985. But might it have been the excellent BBC broadcast from Covent Garden in 1986? The sound has great clarity, warmth & ambiance, with remarkably few lapses. Highly recommended! Robert Bideleux