Met Gotterdammerung

[ARBurton]

I really don`t want to write Ms Voigt off after barely 9 minutes, but this is as bad as the Siegfried of a few weeks ago...

.. can anyone tell me - is she better on the DVD recording?

[Resurrection Man]

I really don`t want to write Ms Voigt off after barely 9 minutes, but this is as bad as the Siegfried of a few weeks ago...

.. can anyone tell me - is she better on the DVD recording?

I don;t know but I agree with you wholeheartedly. Nice orchestral playing. That's about it really. I can't get enthusiastic about any of the singers so far.

So I'm listening to a recording taken from Austrian Broadcasting in 2010. Much much better.

[Bert Coules]

How is the stage miked for these relays, does anyone here know? For most of the time Hagen sounds as though he has his own personal microphone, positioned about two inches from his mouth. It'll be great for the big moments but it does rather rob his performance of any subtlety and at its worst makes him sound as if he's in a different show from the others.

I missed the Norns and the dawn duet so still have Brünnhilde to come. As far as the DVD goes, perhaps the visual aspect helps take the focus away from her vocal delivery: having previously only seen her, I was surprised at the criticism here until I heard her on the radio. Or perhaps her voice simply isn't as fresh and true as it was just a few years ago. Either way, I enjoyed her work on the DVDs. Siegfried sounds OK to me so far.

[Mr Pee]

I really don`t want to write Ms Voigt off after barely 9 minutes, but this is as bad as the Siegfried of a few weeks ago...

.. can anyone tell me - is she better on the DVD recording?

I think she comes across much better on the DVD/Blu-Ray.

[DracoM]

Crikey! This is simply EXECRABLE. Can't they manufacture an ailment so we can get the understudy on?

Surely the Met management must be sitting in their seats / offices with their heads in their hands thinking that this is going out globally.

[Flosshilde]

I do feel really sorry for Ms Voight. In an interview during Die Walkure she said that it will probably be her last Ring; such a pity to go out on such a bum note. At least if the DVD version sounds better that will be how people remember her.

[DracoM]

It is sad, sad, sad.

I fear it is the result of hubris on her part and sentimentality on the management's part.

If she has standards, and she most certainly has, she MUST know what's happening?

[Black Swan]

I chose not to listen. I watched/listened to the SKY Broadcast of Das Rheingold today. This also didn't impress me. I am looking for the Ring on DVD or Blue-Ray. I was hoping this might be an option but I think the Fura Del Bos is a better cast than the Met even with it's very avante guarde staging. Really a bit dissapointed with the Met. There are some very fine Brunhilde's out there. Katarina Delayman for instance. Voight has never really impressed me so I can only guess that she was the choice because she is American. As an Anglo/American I can say this... But maybe I am just to picky.

[Mr Pee]

I chose not to listen. I watched/listened to the SKY Broadcast of Das Rheingold today. This also didn't impress me. I am looking for the Ring on DVD or Blue-Ray. I was hoping this might be an option but I think the Fura Del Bos is a better cast than the Met even with it's very avante guarde staging. Really a bit dissapointed with the Met. There are some very fine Brunhilde's out there. Katarina Delayman for instance. Voight has never really impressed me so I can only guess that she was the choice because she is American. As an Anglo/American I can say this... But maybe I am just to picky.

I have this Ring on Blu-Ray and it is, I think, the one to have. At least give Walkure a try before you write off what is an imaginative and at times visually stunning production. There is no way I would choose the Fura Del Baus cycle over this Met one. I really didn't take to seeing characters being wheeled around the stage on cherry pickers....

[Black Swan]

I have this Ring on Blu-Ray and it is, I think, the one to have. At least give Walkure a try before you write off what is an imaginative and at times visually stunning production. There is no way I would choose the Fura Del Baus cycle over this Met one. I really didn't take to seeing characters being wheeled around the stage on cherry pickers....

Mr Pee, I totally agree with you. I have even considered buying the Levine DVD Ring. A classic production but shows it's age as far as film, etc. I will take your advice. Currently, the Blue Rays of the Met Ring are actuallly pretty reasonable. I am also wondering if SKY Arts will air the others. A great chance to preview.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Mr Pee, I totally agree with you. I have even considered buying the Levine DVD Ring. A classic production but shows it's age as far as film, etc. I will take your advice. Currently, the Blue Rays of the Met Ring are actuallly pretty reasonable. I am also wondering if SKY Arts will air the others. A great chance to preview.

Yes, the Met Ring is being broadcast on Sundays through May. Walküre tomorrow. I was impressed by Rheingold, especially the remarkable set/ lighting.

[Black Swan]

I like the lighting, I was not as keen on the set. But will give it a watch.

J

[Belgrove]

Pretty humdrum singing, several notches down on previous outings of this cycle. But the palm must go to Luisi. I have previously levelled the charge that although he draws extremely beautiful playing from the glorious Met orchestra, his interpretation of the Ring has been rather too tasteful and restrained. I think he is now penetrating into the elemental and savage aspects of the Ring, the bits that make it a compelling drama. Since taking over at short notice from Levine, his interpretations of the works have deepened considerably. In negotiating the huge arcs in the score he has become less episodic and more organic. The orchestra carried the show tonight, great playing from the snarling brass and also from the woodwind section.

Do catch Die Walkure tomorrow night on Sky if you are able. Westbroek and Kaufmann as the twins are truly electrifying.

The Met production is a very successful straight telling of The Ring that faithfully adheres to Wagner's stage directions, albeit using state of the art technology. In that respect it is a perfect introduction for the novice, and a wonderful spectacle to behold. Where it falls short is in exploring the deeper aspects of the work. The interpretation is The Set, but it does the job well.

[grandchant]

I won't bother arguing against such a blast of derision. Well I can't resist saying that IMO Voigt's Brunhilde is well studied and her voice lasted the course and contains all the notes. Who else at the present time would you cast instead? All the people I can think of are no better. As for Siegfried we get a good one every fifty years or so. Personally, I can't help but develop a rapport with a cast that gives these great operas their best over the course of a long evening.
On the DVD issue, if you want blu-ray you don't have much choice beyond those mentioned, but if you don't mind DVD what about the Bayreuth sets of Boulez and Chereau or even better (because of the conducting) Barenboim and Kupfer?

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Who else at the present time would you cast instead?

Nina Stemme