Wagner

Wagner parsifal 4865877

Wagner: Parsifal (Deutsche Grammophon)

The best new Parsifal recording since Kubelik [SSc]

wagner siegfried pristine

Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)

This third instalment of the Knappertsbusch Ring will not disappoint enthusiasts [SB]

Sommernachtskonzert 2024 VPO Nelsons Davidsen Sony 19802812502

Sommernachtskonzert Schönbrunn 2024 (Sony Classical)

An excellent souvenir [RWe]

Roberto Alagna (tenor): Roberto Alagna 60 (Aparté)

A vital and compelling celebration of Roberto Alagna’s 60th birthday [GF]

Gunther Groissbock I live alone in my heaven Gramola 20005

Günther Groissböck (bass) I live alone in my heaven (Gramola)

A profile of the singer Günther Groissböck – no revelations, but there’s always the voice [ST]

wagner walkure pristine

Wagner: Die Walküre (Pristine Audio)

This second instalment of Knappertsbusch’s 1956 Ring is very acceptable [SB]

Wagner: Siegfried (Profil)

Superlative singing whose impact is somewhat compromised by the disappointingly cavernous mono sound [RMo]

brewer arias chandos

Christine Brewer (soprano) Great Operatic Arias (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Chandos’s faith in Brewer has been justified, completely and utterly [CC]

Wagner Rheingold Knappertsbusch Pristine PACO210

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)

This is a rewarding set, and fans of the singers, in particular, will be pleased [SB]

Wagner: Parsifal (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) If you come to terms with some controversial aspects, you could be watching one of the finest all-round operatic performances you will ever see [JL]

Olga Samaroff & Frank La Forge (piano): The Complete Recordings (APR)

Highly enjoyable playing by two pioneers of American pianism [RCh]

Wagner: The Complete Experience and its Meaning to Us (De la Porte Publishing)

Now a truly complete guide to Wagner’s operas, in a fine new edition [RWe]

viebig proscrits forgotten records

Ernst Viebig (conductor) 1933: Les chefs proscrits (Forgotten Records)

A lesser light in German conducting flourishes in light overtures and waltzes in Weimar Berlin [JW]

Thomas Quasthoff (bass- baritone) Evening Star (Deutsche Grammophon)

A cunningly devised programme ideally showcasing Quasthoff’s vocal versatility and dramatic gifts [RMo]

Wagner Meistersinger Oper Berlin Naxos 2.110766-67 DVD

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Naxos)

Some good performances do little to redeem this drab, even absurd production of Meistersinger [LW]

475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]

Wagner: Lohengrin (RCA)

There is much to savour in this 59 year-old set [MP]

wagner knappertsbusch gotterdammerung

Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Pristine Audio)

The culmination of a great Ring cycle has a place among the best: scintillating singing, playing and conducting [RMo]

Wagner: Die Walküre (Naxos)

A Wagner production from hell to be avoided at all possible costs [PCG]

Wagner Parsifal Kaufmann Sony 19439947742

Wagner: Parsifal (Sony Classical)

A decent account of the score let down by vocalism which ranges from mediocre to poor [MBu]

wagner siegfried pristine

Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)

Another majestic instalment of living theatre  – the best so far – in Kna’s 1956 Bayreuth Ring, in superb sound but again afflicted by persistent coughing [RMo]

wagner walkure pristine

Wagner: Die Walküre (Pristine Audio)

Pristine’s stereo remastering reveals its glories yet more vividly – but unfortunately also highlights the constant hacking of the audience and Windgassen’s coordination problems. [RMo]

wagner meistersinger naxos

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Naxos)

A strong musical performance hampered by the directors’ silly concept and by technical issues with the sound [ST]

wagner rheingold pristine

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)

A great performance revitalised in extraordinarily vivid sound – another Pristine remastering triumph [RMo]