Australians are lucky and now, thanks to LR Music, the Spanish public as well.
We now have the first recording of the 2004 production of the Ring cycle from the State Opera of South Australia, released on SACD by the Melba Foundation.
This foundation, created by Maria Vandamme, is supported by Dame Elizabeth Murdoch and counts among its honorary patrons Dame Joan Sutherland, the mythic Australian Soprano and her husband Richard Bonynge, the star conductor. This ambitious project, for which the foundation has invested many million dollars, has resulted in a very ambitious recording, especially for an Australian label, which has benefited from the support of the country's government.
This Walküre, almost four hours in duration, is the first of the cycle's operas recorded for the first time in 6 channels, in SACD. Already in January 2005, Gramophone gave information about this event. The production has received many prizes on top of the honours given by the critics.
With a mainly Australian cast, and under the baton of the young and brilliant Israeli conductor Asher Fisch, facing the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, we have in our hands a Walküre which could mark a "before" and an "after" in the conception of the excellent work of Wagner. Those who can enjoy the SACD system will appreciate the quality of the recording, made with 65 microphones for 60 hours in the Adelaide Festival Centre. 129 orchestral players, a choir of 70 members, a team of almost 80 people behind the scenes, and a cast including Stuart Skelton (Siegmund), Deborah Riedel (Sieglinde), Richard Green (Hunding), John Bröcheler (Wotan), Lisa Gasteen (Brünnhilde) and Elizabeth Campbell (Fricka) in the main roles for a great production.
No need to say that those who do not have SACD can also enjoy this wonderful recording, which, in addition comes with a luxurious book presentation (including the CDs) with pictures, production details and libretto ... This recommended work can be purchased [in Spain] by LR Music.