Wagner: Die Walküre

01/08/2006
Michael Hayes
Classic FM Magazine (UK)
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This is thrilling. Besides the vivid stage atmosphere generated by singers on a high, this is a performance offering really fine musical credentials. The mostly antipodean cast, though sometimes missing the last ounce of firepower, is consistently good, with home-grown talent featuring an outstanding Sieglinde from Deborah Riedel, Lisa Gasteen's feisty Brünnhilde, and classy Heldentenor singing from Stuart Skelton as Siegmund. The natural sounding recorded balance allows the different orchestral sections to blend beautifully; here the level of string playing is world-class, and Asher Fisch's conducting gives true scope to the music's spaciousness and drama alike. I'm sure Wagner would have approved, strongly.