Organization

Conductor

Herbert von Karajan

Stage director

Singer

Baritone

Thomas Stewart

Wotan

Mezzo-soprano

Brigitte Fassbaender

Fricka

Tenor

Peter Schreier

Loge

Zoltán Kelemen

Alberich

Soprano

Jeannine Altmeyer

Freia

Vladimir de Kanel

Donner

Gesungen von Leif Roar

Eva Randová

Rheintochter

Edda Moser

Orchestra

Berliner Philharmoniker

German

Das Rheingold -  (The Rhinegold)

Berlin

Germany

Richard Wagner's "Das Rheingold", staged and conducted by Herbert von Karajan, in a studio production for television - the grandiose prelude to a fragmentary filmed "Karajan Ring". World of the gods - world of the earthly elements: Herbert von Karajan succeeded in emphasizing the contrast between the world of the gods and the earthly realm in a strong and differentiated way. There is a hint of a foreshadowing of Götterdämmerung in his concept. In the prelude, the human being, the hero, does not yet appear; here it is the earthly elements, fire, water and earth, which limit the power of the gods. Only seemingly victorious, Wotan enters Valhalla with his family. The real winner is called Loge.
Based on the production at the Salzburg Easter Festival, Georges Wakhevitch designed stage sets and scenic transformations that underline Karajan's concept with all available technical means. The depth of the Rhine is dynamic, full of natural movement, but also in Nibelheim in the interior of the earth, the corridors, tunnels and vaults that lead down to Alberich's kingdom, the rock and earth formations have something organically rampant in addition to their bizarreness.
With the singer actors, above all Peter Schreier as Loge, Karajan has an ensemble at hand that suits his intentions. Thomas Stewart is a noble singing Wotan. Next to him the grandiose Brigitte Fassbaender as Fricka: something of deep bitterness hangs over the character.
"Behind the maestro's fondness for sophisticated technical effects, there is a concept that definitely deserves interest. Hardly before has it been possible to emphasize the contrast between the world of the gods and the earthly realm so strongly and in such a differentiated way... Same with the visual ones effects on the screen, Wagner's music shimmered and sparkled in exciting colours." (Salzburg News, June 2, 1981)
"Karajan's plans for a complete Ring' on video only came up to the evening before, but it looks promising. Ernst Wild directs a remarkable video based on the Maestro's ideas. Johannes Dreher created the atmospheric projections that suggest a vast kingdom of gods, Utz Alsatian, Georges Wakhevitch and Jean Forrester vouch for the optical side. There are really giants, Nibelheim is a creepy slave kingdom, Alberich's transformation is a cinematographic masterpiece. An implementation that is as exciting as it is useful and effective." (Orpheus, May 1991)

Das Rheingold Wagner,Richard

Public

The Rhinegold

Approved

Photos