Richard Wagner - Götterdämmerung - Jerusalem, Evans - Barenboim, Bayreuth 1991Siegfried Jerusalem – Siegfried,
Bodo Brinkmann – Gunther,
Philip Kang – Hagen,
Günter von Kannen – Alberich,
Anne Evans – Brünnhilde,
Eva-Maria Bundschuh – Gutrune
Waltraud Meier – Waltraute,
Waltraud Meier – Waltraute,
Birgitta Svendén – 1. Norn,
Linda Finnie – 2. Norn,
Uta Priew – 3. Norn,
Hilde Leidland – Woglinde,
Annette Küttenbaum - Wellgunde,
Jane Turner – Flosshilde
Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele/Daniel Barenboim
Staged and directed by Harry Kupfer;
Performed at the Bayreuth Festival Opera, Richard Wagner's final chapter of the Ring Cycle features an impressive cast and an inventive setting. This production moves the action from the ancient era of European myth to an intersection of past, present, and future time periods. Directed by Harry Kupfer and conducted by Daniel Barenboim, this opera stars Siegfried Jerusalem and Anne Evans. GOTTERDAMMERUNG is presented in widescreen, the format that best suits the epic scope of the work.
"Kupfer's ideas are often challenging and sometimes difficult to understand, but the effort required from the viewer is always repaid. There is less wit and comedy than in the other operas of the Cycle, and more an air of sadness and decay - the evident sickness of the Rhinemaidens being a notable example. Kupfer's tendency to put unscripted characters on stage continues to be a feature, but only when it makes perfect dramatic sense: for example, Wotan's presence during Siegfried's Funeral Music underlines what Waltraute has already said about him preparing for the end of the gods. It was a very effective moment, and I don't hesitate in saying I think Harry Kupfer is a genius!
The singing and acting in this production are superb, with the possible minor weaknesses I've already mentioned. Siegfried Jerusalem is a star, and his portrayal of Siegfried is subtle and fascinating. Anne Evans, who has already given her Brunnhilde a rare depth of human warmth, adds a dimension of heroic nobility, and her final long monologue becomes a face-off with Hagen, full of dramatic tension. The other singers support the two main characters well, and as I've said, even if Philip Kang's voice doesn't have the gritty resonance of, say Matti Salminen in the Met's Cycle, his acting of Hagen is first-rate. I must also mention Waltraud Meyer as Waltraute - she is amazing, giving real depth and interest to this minor role. It's the first time I've not felt like going off to make a cup of tea during this scene.", comment Amazon
Bonus feature: Daniel Barenboim and John Tomlinson talk about the Harry Kupfer production of the "Ring" at Bayreuth in 1991 and 1992
Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele/Daniel Barenboim
Staged and directed by Harry Kupfer;
Performed at the Bayreuth Festival Opera, Richard Wagner's final chapter of the Ring Cycle features an impressive cast and an inventive setting. This production moves the action from the ancient era of European myth to an intersection of past, present, and future time periods. Directed by Harry Kupfer and conducted by Daniel Barenboim, this opera stars Siegfried Jerusalem and Anne Evans. GOTTERDAMMERUNG is presented in widescreen, the format that best suits the epic scope of the work.
"Kupfer's ideas are often challenging and sometimes difficult to understand, but the effort required from the viewer is always repaid. There is less wit and comedy than in the other operas of the Cycle, and more an air of sadness and decay - the evident sickness of the Rhinemaidens being a notable example. Kupfer's tendency to put unscripted characters on stage continues to be a feature, but only when it makes perfect dramatic sense: for example, Wotan's presence during Siegfried's Funeral Music underlines what Waltraute has already said about him preparing for the end of the gods. It was a very effective moment, and I don't hesitate in saying I think Harry Kupfer is a genius!
The singing and acting in this production are superb, with the possible minor weaknesses I've already mentioned. Siegfried Jerusalem is a star, and his portrayal of Siegfried is subtle and fascinating. Anne Evans, who has already given her Brunnhilde a rare depth of human warmth, adds a dimension of heroic nobility, and her final long monologue becomes a face-off with Hagen, full of dramatic tension. The other singers support the two main characters well, and as I've said, even if Philip Kang's voice doesn't have the gritty resonance of, say Matti Salminen in the Met's Cycle, his acting of Hagen is first-rate. I must also mention Waltraud Meyer as Waltraute - she is amazing, giving real depth and interest to this minor role. It's the first time I've not felt like going off to make a cup of tea during this scene.", comment Amazon
Bonus feature: Daniel Barenboim and John Tomlinson talk about the Harry Kupfer production of the "Ring" at Bayreuth in 1991 and 1992
