Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold (Herbert von Karajan) (1973/78) [DVD9]

×

Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold (Herbert von Karajan) (1973/78) [DVD9]

Close

Herbert von Karajan conducted four complete Ring Cycles: 1937 in Aachen, 1951 in Bayreuth, 1959 in Vienna and 1967-70 in Salzburg. The sets of the Salzburg production, which was also directed by Herbert von Karajan were by Gunther Schneider-Siemssen, and this production was partly transferred to the MET end-60´s until a strike intervened when the project was only half finished. Gunther Schneider-Siemssen also designed the sets for the current Schenk Metropolitan Ring.

This DVD is a studio film recorded between 1973-78 in Munich. The soundtrack to the film was recorded in 1973 at the Salzburg Easter Festival during Karajan´s revival of his Rheingold, however the complete absence of audience noise suggests the recordings were made during one of the numerous lighting rehearsals, for which Herbert von Karajan was famous (he was very interested in lighting).

This lapse in time also (at least partly) explains why several of the singers were replaced by other singers in the film, due to simple availability issues. Aesthetic considerations, such as the hiring of dancers for the Rhinemaidens, probably weighed in as well. This concerned Erda (played by Martha Mödl, sung by Birgit Finnilä), Fasolt (played by Gerd Niensted, sung by Karl Ridderbusch) and Donner (played by Vladimir de Kanel, sung by Leif Roar).

Herbert von Karajan directed the film, the sets and costumes were by Georges Wakhevitch and Jean Forrester, deliberately mimicking Gunter Schneider-Siemssen´s sets for Karajan´s previous Salzburg production. By the time the Rheingold film was completed in 1978, Unitel had aborted the plan of filming the entire Ring Cycle, a decision Herbert von Karajan no doubt was in agreement with as he had more than enough money to sponsor the completion of the project had he wished to do so.

×

Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold (Herbert von Karajan) (1973/78) [DVD9]

Close

×

Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold (Herbert von Karajan) (1973/78) [DVD9]

Close

×

Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold (Herbert von Karajan) (1973/78) [DVD9]

Close

×

Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold (Herbert von Karajan) (1973/78) [DVD9]

Close