This Rheingold production, directed by Claus Guth, was acquitted by the audience with waves of applause (in the role of Wotan: Falk Struckmann). This opened a new RING Cycle in Hamburg. Just in time for the premiere of the second evening of Wagner‘s tetralogy in the Hamburg Opera House, OehmsClassics released this Rheingold production on CD. The extensive booklet also includes color photos of various scenes to give the listener a visual impression of the Hamburg production. In addition, the complete libretto is provided in German and English.

REVIEWS:

Young is an alert accompanist of voices and brings a special menace to all the Nibelheim music. A plus here…is the ensemble performing - the Rhinedaughters evidently "know" each others' voices; the giants, Mime and Loge sound like they're used to dialoguing with each other. Koch's Alberich has power and imaginative use of the text... I have found this new Rheingold - an event to hear whole, rather than sample - increasingly compelling in the insights provided by the conductor and the recording.

-- Gramophone

Simone Young conducts all the crucial confrontations with fierce energy, and relaxes the tempo for orchestral passages. This orchestra is exceptionally fine, and it's hard to believe that they played so flawlessly without any 'patching'. The whole thing is a thrilling, involving experience.

-- BBC Music Magazine