WAGNER: Siegfried, Blu-ray (2008/2009)
Stage Director: Michael Schulz
Singers: Johnny van Hall, Mario Hoff, Thomas Mowes, Frieder Aurich, Catherine Foster, Hidekazu Tsumaya, Nadine Weissmann, Johannes Martin
Conducted by: Carl St. Clair, with the Orchestra of the Weimar State Opera
Studio: ArtHaus Musik 101 358 [Distributed by Naxos]
Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 color, 1080i HD
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, PCM Stereo
Extras: Trailers
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Feature Length: 251 minutes
Rating: ****
Siegfried marks the third installment of Wagner’s masterwork Der Ring des Nibelungen, and this 2008 production by the German National Theater and the Weimar State Opera continues the superb work we witnessed in their Rheingold (somehow they skipped getting a review copy of Die Walkure to me). The performances are again, exceptional; Johnny van Hall, who as Siegfried at first comes across rather Jethro Bodine-ish (I always picture Siegfried as a touch more heroic), is superb – his voice is magnificent, despite his somewhat unrefined appearance, and he effectively sings his way through the transition from boy to dragon-slayer. Hidekazu Tsumaya also effectively reprises his role as the giant Fafner, although in the guise of a menacing dragon (looking not at all unlike Jabba the Hutt!). Thomas Mowes and Mario Hoff surprisingly trade roles this time around, with Mowes offering magnificent work as Wotan in the guise of the Wanderer, who constantly travels about, brewing trouble and artfully attempting to turn the tables of fate in his favor. Mario Hoff takes on the role of Alberich, and he struggles mightily with his sibling Mime (superbly sung by Frieder Aurich) to gain control the ring and its power. Combine all this with the striking visuals of the post-modern staging of director Michael Schulz, the journeyman work of the Carl St. Clair-led Weimar State Opera Orchestra, and the recipe is, again, one of overwhelming success!
To briefly recap the action, the Rheingold has been stolen for generations now. Alberich’s brother, Mime took the pregnant Sieglinde into his home, and she soon gave birth to Siegfried and died. Mime raises Siegfried with the single aim of training him to kill the giant Fafner, who has transformed himself into a dragon and guards a golden hoard, the Tarnhelm and the Ring. The only weapon that can kill Fafner is Nothung, the shattered sword of Siegfried’s father Siegmund. At that point, The Wanderer (actually Wotan in disguise), appears and deceives Mime into believing that Siegfried will in fact slay him with the sword he’s in the process of reforging, so Mime concocts a potion that will subdue the ungrateful Siegfried so that he can kill him with Nothung. Alberich then meets the Wanderer outside of Fafner’s cave, as Siegfried approaches, followed by Mime. Alberich recognizes that the Wanderer is, in fact, Wotan, and Wotan tries to convince Alberich that he has nothing to fear from himself, but mostly from Mime and Siegfried. A forest bird is singing, and Siegfried desperately attempts to understand the message the bird is trying to convey to him. He then slays Fafner, and upon tasting his blood, is able to understand the bird, and takes the hoard, the Tarnhelm and the Ring for himself. All the while, Alberich and Mime argue over how the hoard is to be divided. Mime’s attempt to kill Siegfried is foiled, and Siegfried kills Mime, and follows the bird’s song to the rock where Brunnhilde is surrounded by the magic fire. Wotan appears again as the Wanderer, and he inquires of Siegfried (who is actually Wotan’s grandson) regarding his exploits and is angered by Siegfried’s arrogance. When Wotan attempts to block Siegfried’s path with his magic spear, Siegfried promptly draws Nothung and shatters the spear; Wotan retreats, realizing his power has been broken. The magic fire surrounding Brunnhilde disappears, and when Siegfried scales the rock to reach Brunnhilde, his kiss awakens her, and they profess their love.
Once again, the image quality of this Blu-ray disc from ArtHaus Musik was little short of magnificent. Many of the scenes were even darker than the incredibly dark Rheingold, but the Siegfried Blu-ray disc displayed excellent contrast that offered a highly detailed picture with deep black levels. Despite the overall dark cast of the production, colors were accurately presented and quite vivid. And the sound quality was also superb; I did all my listening through the DTS Master Audio 5.1 track and it provided an immersive and dynamic listening experience. And this time around, we even get occasional glimpses of Carl St. Clair and the orchestra at work!
This is an impressive third installment of the Ring cycle; the sparse but effective visual style of the production, combined with superb acting and singing is continuing to make this ArtHaus Ring on Blu-ray the one to beat! Some [but not Wagnerites!…Ed.] may find the four-plus hour run time tough sledding, but trust me, your patience will be richly rewarded by the magnificent performances. Four stars – very highly recommended!
— Tom Gibbs
