Richard Wagner, Götterdämmerung
Siegfried, Lance Ryan
Brünnhilde, Petra Lang
Hagen, Matti Salminen
Gunther, Markus Brück
Gutrune, Edith Haller
Alberich, Jochen Schmeckenbecher
Waltraute, Marina Prudenskaya
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Marek Janowski
In 1983 Marek Janowski conducted
the first all-digital Ring cycle with a strong cast including Theo Adam
(Wotan), Rene Kollo (Siegfried), Jeannine Altmeyer (Brunnhilde) and Jesse
Norman and Siegfried Jerusalem as the Walsung twins. Now, thirty or so years
later, this recording of Götterdammerung closes Janowski’s 3-year traversal in
concert performances of Wagner’s major music dramas, all released by Pentatone
as SACDs in handsome packaging and with libretti. The 1983 Ring has
consistently been well regarded and many Wagnerians recommend it as one of the
best studio recordings, particularly since it has been released in a bargain
set by Sony. Unfortunately, on the evidence of this concert performance of the
final installment of the tetralogy, the new Ring does not come close to the
achievements of the 1983 predecessor (which I reviewed here a year or so ago).
The real problem with this new
Gotterdämmerung is the singing of the two principals. Lance Ryan is a very
disappointing Siegfried. Reputed to be one of the leading heldentenors of the moment and Ryan will be singing Siegfried at
Bayreuth this summer. But he certainly seems to have had an off day on March
15, 2013 (when this performance was recorded at the Berlin Philharmonie). He
wobbles badly in the very first duet in Act 1 and has real difficulty
projecting his personality in Act 2 – it is hard to imagine him imposing his
will on the Gibichung vassals. Not until “Brunnhilde, Heilige Braut” in Act 3
do we get a glimpse of what Ryan might be capable of.
Petra Lang seems more naturally a
mezzo-soprano, and the role of Brunnhilde is something of a stretch at times.
She takes a while to get into the role in Act 1. Clearly out-acted by Marina
Prudenskaya’s Waltraute in the Scene 3 duet, she starts to act a little more in
the last part of the act when Siegfried reappears as Gunther. She too is weak
in Act 2. Things pick up in Act 3. The Immolation scene is much better
characterized. But she is still short of the vocal power and expressive range
required for the powerful Brunnhilde. Like Ryan she strains at key moments –
e.g. when she sends the ravens home to Valhalla.
The other main characters are much
better. Matti Salminen’s Hagen is the only constant across the two iterations
and he gives a characteristically fine performance. Hagen’s “Hier sitz ich zur
Wacht, wahre den hof” is the highlight of Act 1 and the Act 2 duet with
Alberich (well sung by Jochen Schmeckenbecher) is very powerful. Markus Brück’s
Gunther and Edith Haller’s Gutrune are above average and really carry the main
scene in Act 2.
Janowski reveals himself once
again to be a first-rate Wagner conductor. His conducting is searching in
Siegfried’s Funeral March and finely paced at the finale. The Prelude to Act 2
also stands out. Unfortunately the quality of the singing lets him down and I
would find it hard to recommend this set, particularly since it is significantly
more expensive than the entire 1983 Janowski Ring.
