|
<< -- 2 -- Robert Anderson SINISTER POWER
The no-nonsense musical direction of Bertrand de Billy produced a running-time
of under two and a half hours, one of my shorter Rheingolds. The
brisk baton kept the admirable Barcelona players on their toes, allowed a minimum
of bad quarter-hours, and made of Wotan a modern and effective company director
a little lacking in dignity. The flickering flames of the unstable Loge threatened
already the sort of conflagration that must ultimately consume Valhalla at the
end of the cycle; and Freia's reasonable anxiety at being handed over to a pair
of giants, whose building machinery was apparently an essential part of their
physique, became hectic neurosis.
Rheinmaidens Cristina Obregón (Woglinde), Ana Ibarra (Wellgunde) and Francisca Beaumont (Flosshilde). © 2005 Opus Arte
|
It is a joyous experience, though, to bring Das Rheingold in full musical
and visual splendour into one's own drawing-room. The fatal gold is beautifully
saluted in this version by three comely Rhinemadens, indeed worthy of a more
eligible suitor than Alberich
[listen -- DVD1 track 5 'Lugt, Schwestern!', 0:00-1:59].
With love forsworn in the depths, Wotan is unaware how soon his plans will be
tied in knots of political deceit. For the moment he can contemplate the
majestic splendour of Valhalla, conceived with pride and satisfaction as safe
stronghold for the gods
[listen -- DVD1 track 7 'Wotan, Gemahl! erwache!', 2:01-3:06].
Continue >>
Copyright © 30 March 2005
Robert Anderson, London UK
|
