A 13-CD live recording of Wagner’s Ring Cycle was captured in 2024 by the Dallas Symphony under music director Fabio Luisi. The performances benefit from clearheaded conducting, a strong grasp of Wagner’s operatic structure, and flexible phrasing. The set succeeds largely through its singers, with Mark Delavan delivering authoritative Wotan and intensifying characterization across the cycle. Daniel Johansson provides a lyrical Siegfried without strain, while Lise Lindstrom’s Brunnhilde is committed to text and drama but sometimes under too much pressure. Sara Jakubiak shines as Sieglinde, and other roles include strong acting from Hagen, Loge, and Mime. Sound quality is admirable but slightly more congested than top studio recordings, while Rhinemaidens, Valkyries, and the Norns are especially strong.
"Concert performances of opera can provide ideal conditions for live recordings. This ambitious release of Wagner's Ring Cycle on 13 CDs, captured in 2024 with the Dallas Symphony under music director Fabio Luisi, is a fine example. The Italian maestro has a strong record, having stepped in at the Metropolitan Opera in 2011 when James Levine had to withdraw from Siegfried due to illness. With his clearheaded approach, a keen sense of Wagner's operatic architecture, and a supple way with phrasing, he is perhaps the most compelling reason for acquiring this frequently impressive set."
"Of course, any Ring lives or dies on its singers, and no cast will ever be perfect. As Wotan, Mark Delavan's voice carries the right authority, his characterisation intensifying as the work unfolds. Daniel Johansson is a lyrical Siegfried, never straining, even if he occasionally sounds uninvolved. As Brunnhilde, Lise Lindstrom's soprano comes under rather too much pressure, though she's never less than committed to text and drama. Among the rest, Sara Jakubiak stands out as a radiant Sieglinde, though a tired-sounding Christopher Ventris disappoints as Siegmund."
"Stephen Milling, Stefan Margita and Michael Laurenz sing and act their socks off as Hagen, Loge and Mime respectively, with Tomas Tomasson characterful but occasionally wobbly as Alberich. If Deniz Uzun is rather soft-edged as Fricka and Roman Trekel overly gravelly as Gunther, Kathryn Henry offers a glorious Gutrune and Tamara Mumford an imposing Erda. Giants and minor deities are good; Rhinemaidens, Valkyries, and especially Norns excellent. Sound is admirable, if slightly more congested than the finest studio sets."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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