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Wagner: Das Rheingold

Nominated for the 2007 ARIA awards

Presenting Sponsor: Dr. Douglas Mitchell

SACD Hybrid Multi-channel
(2 CD set)

Asher Fisch (Conductor)
The State Opera of South Australia
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Price: AU$75.00

 

 
"Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelungs is coming to multichannel SACD, and thanks to the State Opera of South Australia and Melba Recordings, it is being done right ... I simply can’t imagine it being done better ... this is electrifying music making, an edifying production ... it is a true delight to witness the emergence of what surely will be remembered years from now not only as a legendary performance, but as an epoch-making recording as well. Musical Content: 100% Recording Fidelity: 100%"

Reviews have been staggering for Melba Recordings’ SACD release of State Opera of South Australia’s production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, recently launched in the UK, USA and Europe. The level of international acclaim for the release of the first instalment, Die Walküre (MR 301091-94) is quite unprecedented! Describing the recording as “as ground-breaking as Georg Solti’s Decca recording … one of the most significant recordings of the decade … energetic …history-in-the-making … a production worthy of Bayreuth … and the most recommendable of recent Walküres”, commentators acknowledge Melba as a spearhead of the international new wave of independent record companies revitalising classical music recording.

“it will certainly be good to hear other parts of the Adelaide Ring Cycle in due course.”
The Gramophone

Wait no more!
 
Das Rheingold continues the Melba Ring series, presented in a handsome hardbound volume with colour production photos, essays on the opera and the history of the Ring in Adelaide together with a full libretto. This stunning new premiere SACD hybrid surround recording features the talents of the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and a stellar cast conducted by Asher Fisch.
 
Biographical Links 
 
 
Conductor 
 
 
Cast List
 
John Bröcheler
(Wotan)
Timothy DuFore (Donner)
Andrew Brunsdon (Froh)
Christopher Doig (Loge)
Elizabeth Campbell (Fricka)
Kate Ladner (Freia)
Liane Keegan (Erda)
John Wegner (Alberich)
Richard Greager (Mime)
Andrew Collis   (Fasolt)
David Hibbard (Fafner)
Natalie Jones (Woglinde)
Donna-Maree Dunlop (Wellgunde)
Zan McKendree-Wright (Flosshilde)

 
 
Read Humphrey McQueen's essay on Wagner: Our Contemporary
Read an interview with the producer on How We Recorded the Ring
 
Music downloads (Scenes 1,2&3):  Amazon mp3 (US only)
 eMusic
 Rhapsody
 Napster
 iTunes
Music downloads (Scene 3 Conclusion):
Amazon mp3 (US only)
 eMusic
 Rhapsody
 Napster
 iTunes
Music downloads (Scene 4):Amazon mp3 (US only)
 eMusic
 Rhapsody
 Napster
 iTunes
 
 
Sound Samples:
 
CD1 

5.     Lugt, Schwestern! Listen now (MP3 773K)
 
Rheingold! Rheingold! The Rhinemaidens sing ecstatically of their precious charge, the Rhinegold.
 
7.     Der Welte Erbe gewänn'ich zu eigen durch dich? Listen now (MP3 885K)
 
Taunted to his wits end the vile yet lovelorn troll, Alberich, siezes the Rhinegold  and renounces love in order to use the gold's power  to win dominion over the whole world.
 
9.      Wotan, Gemahl! Erwache!  Listen now (MP3 895K)

In a mountain clearing overlooking the Rhine, we see in the distance the Gods' newly completed castle Walhalla. Wotan, chief among the Gods, sings of his satisfaction at the completion of the mighty work.
 
11.     Sanft schloß Schlaf dein Aug  Listen now (MP3 932K)

The giants Fasolt and Fafner who have built Walhalla arrive and expect their payment as promised by Wotan. Their payment is the goddess of youth, Wotan's sister in law, Freia. 
 
21-22.     Orchestral Interlude - Hehe! Hieher! Hieher! Tückischer Zwerg! Listen now (MP3 1.37mb)
 
CD2
 
14.     Weiche, Wotan, Weiche!  Listen now (MP3 859K)

Having won the Rhinegold from Alberich, Wotan is warned by the Earth Goddess Erda to give up the now cursed gold.
 
20.    Rheingold! Rheingold! Reines Gold!  Listen now (MP3 877K)
 
As the gods prepare to cross the rainbow bridge to Walhalla, the Rhinemaidens can be heard in the distance crying for the return of the Rhinegold.
 

 


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Wagner: Götterdämmerung
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Last Updated: Friday, 29 August 2008 00:42
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