Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Bayreuth, 1997)

Alfred Kirchner's Bayreuth production of Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen was distinguished by a time-hallowed, mystical atmosphere, with imaginative costumes and symbolist stage designs by German artist Rosalie. Under the baton of James Levine, who was praised for his commanding disposition and the beauty of the orchestral sound, Götterdämmerung features some of the most well-known Wagner singers of the time: Deborah Polaski took on the role of Brünnhilde for the second time in a Bayreuth Ring, with Hanna Schwarz, regular performer on the Green Hill for 23 years, as Waltraute. Heldentenor Wolfgang Schmidt, at the start of his Bayreuth career, sings the hero Siegfried.

Soloists: 

Eric Halfvarson (Bass), Yvonne Naef (Alto), Anne Schwanewilms (Soprano), Ekkehard Wlaschiha (Baritone), Falk Struckmann (Bass-Baritone), Wolfgang Schmidt (Tenor), Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Birgitta Svenden (Soprano), Frances Ginzer (Soprano)

Ensembles: 

Bayreuth Festival Chorus, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

Conductor: 

James Levine