Siegfried

Richard Wagner (1813–1883)

DESCRIPTION

One of the more poignant losses of the 1950s was the untimely death of Heldentenor Bernd Aldenhoff from food poisoning. Heard here in this performance of Siegfried, one can make a strong case for his place among the finest exponents of the role. He meets the considerable vocal demands with power and security, yet it is the finesse in the more introspective passages that truly distinguishes his interpretation, most notably in a Waldweben scene of exceptional beauty and sensitivity. Hans Hotter brings both gravitas and a strikingly youthful vocal color to the Wanderer, while Astrid Varnay makes her brief appearance at the end count, unleashing waves of radiant sound with impressive confidence. As Mime, Paul Kuen deserves recognition, particularly in his compelling Act II exchange with the formidable Gustav Neidlinger as Alberich. Rita Streich offers a notable cameo as the Waldvogel.

CAST

Siegfried – Bernd Aldenhoff
Mime – Paul Kuen
Wanderer – Hans Hotter
Brünnhilde – Astrid Varnay
Alberich – Gustav Neidlinger
Erda – Melanie Bugarinovic
Fafner – Kurt Böhme
Waldvogel – Rita Streich

DETAILS

Location: Bayreuth
Date: 1952
Conductor: Joseph Keilberth
Catalogue Number: OD 12318-3
Label: Opera Depot
Number of Discs: 3
In Mono