|
| |
Review by Charles E. Muntz
In what is already a weak Ring cycle, Herbert von Karajan’s Siegfried is
the weakest link. Like the other operas in his cycle, the conducting
is bland and uninvolving, as wonderfully as the Berlin Philharmonic plays.
Furthermore, much of the cast is inadequate. Jess Thomas is completely
out of his depth as Siegfried, lacking the weight, lyricism and
intelligence the role requires, and he pales beside Gerhard Stolze's
brilliant Mime. Helga Dernesch is likewise inadequate as Brünnhilde,
although she does try. Thomas Stewart is better as the Wanderer here
than he was as Wotan in Walküre, but he still lacks the weight and
authority the role requires. The rest of the cast is adequate but not
outstanding. This recording simply does not compare to the classic
Solti or some of the more modern Siegfrieds, including Boulez and
Barenboim, and should be avoided by all but serious Ring enthusiasts.
This review is from the now closed Wagner on the Web and it is published
without the author's consent. I haven't been able to get in touch with him.
If the author reads this, please contact me as soon as possible. If you
don't want it here, I'll take it of the site immediately. |
|
|