Hans Beirer was nearly 62 when he gave this performance, but he had worked out the intricacies of the role so well you'd never guess it. I doubt he ever had a beautiful voice, even in his youngest days. All the same there is little he doesn't know about how to pace himself, where to give and where to hold back. His top notes have a ring that is exciting and he knows how to project the character. At one point in the second act where Siegfried is attempting to fashion a trumpet he laughs aloud, someone in the audience echoes his laugh, and then the entire audience laughs. I don't know what was going on, but it is amusing!Stolze is a terrific Mime, one who doesn't go quietly into the night, dying noisily in the second act. Stewart sings very handsomely as the Wanderer. Lilowa is an excellent Erda though she is off-mic for her scene. Lindholm is first-rate as Brunnhilde. She manages the high notes well if without Nilsson's ease, but makes more of the character than her country woman does. Auger sings the Woodbird with lovely tone and Kreppel growls Fafner effectively. Kuhne makes the most of Alberich's brief appearance. Stein leads an enjoyable performance, making the traditional cut in the Wanderer/Siegfried scene in Act Three.The sound is listenable, if limited in dynamic range. This sounds like an in-house albeit a good one. Fans of Beirer and the other singers should get this.

Die Sänger und der Dirigent Horst Stein gehören alle zur damaligen Interpreten-Spitzenklasse für Wagner. Eine gute und solide Aufnahme. Leider ist die klangliche Wiedergabe nicht so gut. Es fehlt an Brillanz und die Höhen klingen dumpf.Trotzdem kann ich die Aufnahme empfehlen. The singers and the conductor Horst Stein all belong to the top class of Wagner interpreters at that time. A good and solid recording. Unfortunately the sound reproduction is not so good. It lacks brilliance and the highs sound dull.Nevertheless I can recommend the recording.