WAGNER: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Great Scenes - Thielemann, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Chorus (2 CDS)

‘This set is essential’ concluded Gramophone of the Ring cycle from the home of Wagner performance, the Bayreuth Festival, when this 2008 production was issued complete. Among the most distinguished Wagner conductors of our age, Christian Thielemann leads a performance of masterful pacing and burning conviction that features richly detailed interpretations from many of today’s most experienced interpreters of their complex and glorious roles. Now distilled on to two discs, here is The Ring in a nutshell.

Das Rheingold

Albert Dohmen (Wotan), Andrew Shore (Alberich), Arnold Bezuyen (Loge), Gerhard Siegel (Mime), Michelle Breedt (Fricka), Kwangchul Youn (Fasolt), Hans-Peter König (Fafner), Christa Mayer (Erda), Edith Haller (Freia), Ralf Lukas (Donner), Clemens Bieber (Froh), Fionnuala McCarthy (Woglinde), Ulrike Helzel (Wellgunde), Simone Schröder (Flosshilde)

Die Walküre

Endrik Wottrich (Siegmund), Eva-Maria Westbroek (Sieglinde), Linda Watson (Brünnhilde), Kwangchul Youn (Hunding), Sonja Mühleck (Gerhilde), Anna Gabler (Ortlinde), Edith Haller (Helmwige), Martina Dike (Waltraute), Wilke te Brummelstroete (Siegrune), Annette Küttenbaum (Grimgerde), Manuela Bress (Rossweise), Simone Schröder (Schwertleite)

Siegfried

Stephen Gould (Siegfried), Albert Dohmen (Wanderer), Robin Johannsen (Waldvogel)

Götterdämmerung

Hans-Peter König (Hagen), Ralf Lukas (Gunther), Edith Haller (Gutrune), Christa Mayer (Waltraute), Simone Schröder (First Norn), Martina Dike (Second Norn), Edith Haller (Third Norn)

Bayreuther Festspiele Chorus & Bayreuther Festspiele Orchestra, Christian Thielemann