Wagner: Götterdämmerung

03/11/2007
Graham Strahle
The Weekend Australian (Australia)
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Melba’s recording of the 2004 Adelaide production of Der Ring des Nibelungen has been three years in the making. Finally, the marathon is over with this fourth instalment, Götterdämmerung. All up, it is a shining Ring... A bass of quaking depth and power, Duccio dal Monte makes a tremendous Hagen, and Lisa Gasteen is again majestic as Brünnhilde. Jonathan Summers and John Wegner are wonderfully strong too, as Gunther and Alberich. For all the vocal glories, however, conductor Asher Fisch takes most credit. His pacing and dramatic insights are masterful. A natural, unforced lyricism and spaciousness of phrase give a sense of inevitability to the drama. The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra plays with remarkably fine composure, concentration and polish.