One can be forgiven a little patriotic pride in this splendid Australian version, the first of the four Adelaide Ring cycle operas of 2004 to be released. It’s a really thrilling performance, and very even. John Bröcheler and Lisa Gasteen are especially good but then so are Stuart Skelton and Deborah Riedel. Conductor Asher Fisch is master of all he surveys, utterly convincing in depth and breadth of vision and drawing marvellous playing from the Adelaide [Symphony] orchestra. The sound is simply superb – spacious, natural and lifelike. This recording was a colossal project for Melba. It’s attracting world acclaim.
Key track: Track one on CD one to track 17 of CD four. The lot.