Götterdämmerung

Richard Wagner (1813–1883)

DESCRIPTION

In many respects, this performance of Götterdämmerung can be viewed as a precursor to Georg Solti’s later studio Ring cycle, sharing as it does three of the principal voices: Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, and Gottlob Frick. While it may cede some ground in terms of musical precision, the trade-off is a palpable sense of theatrical urgency—driven both by adrenaline and an audience keenly attuned to the event’s singular intensity.

Birgit Nilsson brings imperious authority to Brünnhilde, her vocal control and dramatic insight forming the dramatic core of the evening. Wolfgang Windgassen captures Siegfried’s youthful bravado with vigor, while Gottlob Frick contributes a Hagen of uncommon poise and tonal refinement, among the most distinguished on record.

The supporting cast reads like a catalogue of emergent talent: Marie Collier offers a notably empathetic Gutrune, and Thomas Stewart is persuasive in both vocal and physical stature as Gunther. Josephine Veasey lends gravity to Fricka, while future luminaries Gwyneth Jones and Rita Hunter appear in smaller roles as Wellgunde and the Third Norn, respectively, offering early glimpses of their future promise.

CAST

Brünnhilde – Birgit Nilsson
Siegfried – Wolfgang Windgassen
Gutrune – Marie Collier
Gunther – Thomas Stewart
Hagen – Gottlob Frick
Alberich – Otakar Kraus
Waltraute – Josephine Veasey
Woglinde – Barbara Holt
Wellgunde – Gwyneth Jones
Flosshilde – Maureen Guy
1 Norn – Monica Sinclair
2 Norn – Margarete Elkins
3 Norn – Rita Hunter

DETAILS

Location: London
Date: October 14, 1963
Conductor: Georg Solti
Catalogue Number: OD 10286-4
Label: Opera Depot
Number of Discs: 4
In Mono