Amazon.co.uk Review
With the release of this disc, Chandos completes its digital remastering of the complete English National Opera
Ring cycle recorded live in the late 1970s--and a fantastic set it is too. As in the other recordings (
The Rhinegold,
The Valkyrie and
Siegfried) Goodall shows himself to be a master Wagnerian of the first order with a sure grasp of the massive score, from its largest structures to its smallest details. His obvious passion for the music clearly inspires the ENO Orchestra to give of its best--the playing is extraordinarily powerful, and perfectly attuned to the drama of each scene (Siegfried's Funeral Procession is simply spine-tingling). Rita Hunter has the necessary iron lungs to make Brunnhilde's lines soar over the orchestra, but characterises her with subtlety too; even when she asks for the death of Siegfried (Alberto Remedios, bright and powerful) her voice is warm with love for him. Aage Haugland doesn't have a beautiful voice, but in many ways this helps make him an ideal Hagen, full of spite and cunning. The translation is a masterpiece in its own right, and the booklet (including libretto) is crammed with information. This is a must-have. --
Warwick Thompson