Richard Wagner - Die Walküre - Terfel, Plowright, Silvasti - Pappano 2005BBC
Cast: Wotan - Bryn Terfel, Siegmund – Jorma Silvasti, Sieglinde - Katarina Dalayman, Lisa Gasteen - Brünnhilde, Stephen Milling - Hunding, Rosalind Plowright - Fricka
Valkyries: Gerhilde – Geraldine McGreevy, Ortlinde – Elaine McKrill, Waltraute – Claire Powell, Schwertleite – Rebecca de Pont Davies, Helmwige – Iréne Theorin, Siegrune – Sarah Castle, Grimgerde – Clare Shearer, Rossweisse – Elizabeth Sikora
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Antonio Pappano
Almost every member of the cast was a knock-out, but Bryn Terfel's performance as Wotan was the most outstanding. Here is one of the greatest singers of all time in the role of a lifetime. He has referred to it as his "Everest", but he has climbed it to complete satisfaction on the first attempt. Every nuance of both text and music was explored with indescribable affection, and he was as emotionally engaging as one could ever hope. Surely this is the role for which he will always be remembered.
Rosalind Plowright as Fricka was wonderfully vibrant in her encounters with her husband Wotan, matching Terfel in stature both physically and vocally. The Valkyries sang with unusual ease, bringing a genuine thrill to the often weedy Ride of the Valkyries. One of the greatest nights at Covent Garden in recent times. --musicomh
