Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold - Morris, Jerusalem, Ludwig - Levine, Met 1990James Morris · Siegfried Jerusalem Ekkehard Wlaschiha · Christa Ludwig · Mari Anne Häggander · Birgitta Svendén · Heinz Zednik · Matti Salminen · Jan-Hendrik Rootering
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra · James Levine
"Morris makes a most impressive Wotan, the role sitting ideally on his mellow high bass, his rendition of the music eloquent and stirring. Also first-rate are Mari-Anne Häggander's fresh, youthful Freia; Wlaschiha's sinister, bitingly vocalized Alberich; and Zednik's always characterful and musical Mime. Jerusalem has more voice for Loge than the secondary tenors generally alloted to the role, alone with some command of behavioral subtlety; if not outstanding in either respect, he is more than adequate at both, and does justice to his role; Ludwig, nearing the end of her stage career, remains a major artist; she looks regal and for the most part sounds it. The giants are a strong pair, singing beautifully as well as ruggedly. The Rhinemaidens make a harmonious and convincing trio. Levine provides a spacious framework that makes much of motivic unfoldings and musical developments and allows the orchestra to sound the magnificent group it is."
