R.Wagner 'Die Walkure' (26/07/65, Bayreuth) - Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek, James King, Theo Adam

Richard Wagner "Siegfried"

Bayreuth Festival
28th July 1965, Bayreuth

Brunnhilde: Birgit Nilsson
Sieglinde: Leonie Rysanek
Wotan: Theo Adam
Siegmund: James King
Fricka: Ursula Boese
Hunding: Martti Talvela
Gerhilde: Danica Mastilovic
Ortlinde: Isabella Duran
Waltraute: Gertraud Hopf
Schwertlette: Lili Chookasian
Helmwige: Liane Synek
Siegrune: Elisabeth Schartel
Grimgerde: Ursula Boese
Rossweisse: Margarethe Bence

Orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival, Bayreuth

Conductor................Karl Bohm

[verdiguy]

The 1960s must have been a great time for fans of Die Walkure. Nilsson in her prime and Rysanek shrieking when either King or Vickers ripped Notung out of the tree and basses like Talvela or Riddersbusch as a menacing Hunding. Only Wotan proved a bit of a problem as neither Theo Adam or Thomas Stewart really had the power or vocal richness as excellent as they both were as singing actors. This broadcast is a perfect example of its decade. King is on fire and I've rarely heard him more engaged in a performance. Leonie is a bit erratic vocally but as exciting as usual. Bohm's grasp of the score is superb and I've always found Walkure the finest component of any of his Ring Cycles. Plus, it's nice to have the announcers and pre-act brass fanfares. Thanks for posting!

[Bravilor]

I kind of like Theo Adams distorted tone. Nilsson sounds better sonically in this rough recording than in many of her distant sounding, reverb-laden Walküre LP features.

[wotan]

Interesting document. I know it’s heresy, but I absolutely couldn’t stand Rysanek. I saw her in both soprano and mezzo roles. IMO, she spent her career searching for the correct pitch and finding places to scream. But of course she was a compelling actress, and one was never bored.