The now legendary recordings from the ENO in the late 1960s and 1970s of the Ring cycle celebrate the wonderful performances of Rita Hunter, Alberto Remedios and Norman Bailey, with the magisterial conducting of Reginald Goodall. The strength in depth of the company at the time in shown by the best "French" soprano of the time, Valerie Masterson, turning up as Woglinde and at least three potential Brunnhildes in the line of Valkyries. That the company could also double or triple cast the Ring at that was a luxury probably unimaginable today. But this unexpected and thrilling recording of a substantial portion of the last act of Siegfried demonstrates that strength admirably. It would be interesting to know where it come from, as it was not a broadcast performance; however, the sound and balance is excellent, and the orchestra is on blazing form under Mackerras - the journey to the rock is thrilling, even if the high violins a few moments later do sound a little challenged! I saw Jon Weaving as Siegmund when the ENO toured the Ring to Leeds, but was unprepared for his eager sappy sound here- he sounds genuinely young!- his immaculate diction, and touching characterisation. Raimund Herincx (also in that Leeds Ring) has a broad vibrato, and his diction, although again very clear, has a dated quality to it, not altogether inappropriate for Wotan. Margaret Curphey's diction is cloudier, but she gives everything she has to the part, and with Weaving and Mackerras, steers the duet to an exciting end, capped with a stunning top C. The audience goes wild (great to have the applause!) and rightly so. Any chance that the rest of the performance was recorded? Any of these artists today would be in demand world wide for Wagner!

I love hearing alternative casts. Curphey, Weaving, and Herincx were valued ENO members, but they didn't get to record much Wagner commercially (Curphey was Goodall's Sieglinde for his EMI Valkyrie set.) All three are excellent and their diction very clear. I had no trouble understanding anything Herincx sang and the other two weren't far behind.We begin at the Wanderer's first line just as Siegfried approaches and continue pretty much until the end of the opera though are two very short elisions where someone probably had to turn over the tape. In a review below, Curphey states this was taken from the September 29, 1977 performance. She sings a beautiful Brunnhilde. If her highest notes don't quite have the gleam that Rita Hunter's do, she still brings the opera to a satisfying conclusion with her top C. Weaving's vibrato is going to be a little fast for some folks but at least it isn't wobbly. I've admired Herincx ever since I heard his Father in the classic Sadlers Wells Hansel and Gretel studio production of 1964: a wonderful, imaginative singer. Mackerras doesn't allow Time to stop as Goodall tends to do, but keeps the pace moving; he knows when not to dawdle. The sound is excellent. Is the rest of this cycle available? Parts of it? I'd love to hear more from these singers whether in Wagner or other operas.

This is superb! I saw Margaret Curphey in many roles at the London Coliseum but had no idea that she had ever performed this role, and I can't imagine how I missed it. She performs the role beautifully with absolutely superb diction. I never heard Jon Weaving but he also is ideal in the role, also with perfect diction. I only ever saw Raimund Herincx at the very end of his career when the voice was faded, but here in his brief appearance as Wotan he is very impressive. As always Mackerras brings wonderful vigour to the performance. It's incredible to think that in the same year as this impressive performance I also saw the complete Ring cycle conducted by Goodall with the equally superb cast familiar from the commercial recording. The actual sound quality of this recording is terrific too. If only we had the rest of this opera, and the rest of the cycle with this cast too!

Further to my review above, I spoke with Margaret Curphey today and she confirmed that the recording will have been taken on 29 September 1977, which was her first public performance of the Siegfried Brünnhilde. Perhaps the cover might be corrected for the future. It's a wonderful disc: thanks again for issuing.

Absolutely loved this. Margaret Curphey and Jon Weaving were definitely second fiddle to Rita Hunter and Alberto Remedios as far as the UK critics were concerned but they sound wonderful here, with superb diction and musicianship. Weaving is unbelievably fresh and youthful sounding at the end of what would have been a long evening. Margaret Curphey is still alive and is a most lovely lady (and back living on the Isle of Man). I heard her many times at ENO, her repertoire ranged from Micaëla to Sieglinde and Eva via Maria Stuarda, Mimi and Elisabetta di Valois. She had been due to be Isolde in the 1981 WNO Goodall Tristan but a medical condition intervened and Linda Esther Gray took over. That might have given her career the boost it needed. I think this recording might be from August 1977 not 1976 but will check with Margaret and let you know. Do you have any of her Valkyrie or Twilight of the Gods? Thanks so much for this completely unexpected delight,