Wagner: Das Rheingold

The latest in their highly regarded Wagner opera series, Halle presents the live recording of their acclaimed Bridgewater Hall performance. Das Rheingold stands as the Varabent or “Preliminary Evening” of Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen, designed to be free of the traditional operatic concepts of aria and operatic chorus, and presented as the more epic Buhenfestspiel or “stage festival play,” with the linking of dramatic elements through the use of musical motifs. The album was recorded at the Bridgewater Hall, capturing all the drama of the acclaimed live performance. The release was produced by Halle’s award-winning engineer Steve Portnoi. “The Halle were the stars, responsive to every nuance of Elder’s direction.” (The Times on Halle’s performance of Das Rheingold) “Elder’s interpretation combined lyricism with drama in a way that only the greatest Wagner conductors can realize.” (Opera Magazine on Halle’s performance of Das Rheingold)