Die Walküre, 3 November 2001 - Vienna
This was an "A" Opera night at the Vienna Staatsoper starring
Placido Domingo (Siegmund), Waltraud Meier (Sieglinde), Jan-Hendrik
Rootering (Wotan), Hildegard Behrens (Brünnhilde), Marjana Lipovsek
(Frika), Conductor, Peter Schneider, and Director, Adolf Dresen.
This was a conservative production with no eccentric surprises. Act
I was set in a white tent with a large circular open space in centre
roof with snow falling as Siegmund arrived. This tent was suddenly
lifted by the latest machinery [installed during the Staatsoper's
recent renovations - Ed] as the lovers sang of the arrival of spring
to show a clear night with stars shining. The contrast was of snow
falling again on the ill-starred lovers during their travails in Act
II. This Act began in a black tent indoor scene, which changed to
a bleak, open space with snow falling, for the entrance of Siegmund
and Sieglinde fleeing from Hunding.
Fortunately rocks were not part of the scenery. Domingo was a dynamic
Siegmund with his baritonal-tenor voice in unwaveringly solid form.
Meier looked young and ravishing, in a simple long frock. Both sang
effortlessly in balance with the orchestra, so that the marked difference
in age between them (the twins) was scarcely noticeable. Meier's singing
was extraordinarily expressive and beautiful. Lipovsek was an extremely
well sung, angry Fricka with Rootering a laid back Wotan, until Frika's
arguments convinced him, leading to the motive of Wotan's distress.
Rootering sang extremely well, slightly under-sung at first, but increasing
in quality and intensity as his work load increased. However, he is
a large man. His movements on stage were lumbering style movements
where the other principals were most dynamic in their movements. One
wished for the energy of a James Morris or John Wegner, who was such
an adornment to the Adelaide Ring. Perhaps Rootering may have had
an injury.
Brünnhilde had a marvellous interpreter in Behrens. In 1979 she was
Salome at Covent Garden dancing so well the Dance of the Seven Veils.
Yet, after the intervening 22 years, she hardly looks different -
slim, young-looking with a young-sounding voice. Like all the other
principals, she had no trouble singing above the orchestra. Her acting
was superb. In fact Domingo, Meier and Behrens never gave the impression
they were acting. The role of Hunding was sung by Walter Fink, a regular
bass-baritone with the Staatsoper. He is a huge man with a huge dark
and menacing voice that suited the part admirably. The orchestra under
the direction of Peter Schneider was simply marvellous with the various
instrumental solos a joy to hear. This was indeed a most memorable
Wagner night at the Opera.
Tony McDonald
January 2002
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10-Mar-2004
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