Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser - Seiffert, Hampson, Pape - Barenboim 20013CDs - DDD - 66'38, 71'50 & 56'14
TELDEC 2002
Mixed-version, Studio recording in stereo, June, 2001
Landgraf Hermann - René Pape, Tannhäuser - Peter Seiffert, Wolfram - Thomas Hampson, Walther - Gunnar Gudbjörnsson, Biterolf - Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Heinrich - Stephan Rügamer, Reinmar - Alfred Reiter, Elisabeth - Jane Eaglen, Venus - Waltraud Meier, Ein junger Hirte - Dorothea Röschmann
Daniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin, Chor der Berliner Staatsoper
This vividly recorded new Tannhäuser has much to recommend it. Daniel Barenboim's leadership not only keeps things moving so that the somewhat stilted drama actually takes wing, he elicits some of the most beautiful playing ever from the Berlin State Opera forces: lush strings; pointed, crisp brass; reedy, articulate winds. Thomas Hampson's Wolfram is sensitive and handsomely sung, if on a slightly small scale; Rene Pape is by far the most impressive Landgraf on disc; and the supporting cast is topnotch. Peter Seiffert sings the title role as well as anyone alive today could, but the natural youth and brightness of his voice do not particularly suit the character and his torment. Jane Eaglen's Elisabeth is correctly pure and simple, and equally well sung. Waltraud Meier uses her unimpressive voice well as Venus, underscoring the character's incredible sensuality with her intelligent use of the text.
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