Wagner, Das Rheingold conducted by Pierre Boulez directed by Patrice Chéreau Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele Recorded 1980 in Bayreuth, Festspielhaus Immolation Brünnhilde: Gwyneth Jones
This is perhaps the greatest Brunnhilde ever! Gwyneth Jones may not always have had the vocal perfection of a Birgit Nilsson or a Rita Hunter, but she had a stage presence and an utter conviction that ensured that to have seen her singing this role was a never-to-be-forgotten privilege.
And a superb actress, as well. I saw her at San Francisco as Elektra, the Färberin and the Siegfried Brünnhilde, and each time her identification with the character was total. Her intensity could be frightening, as in Elektra, overwhelming, as in Siegfried, and heartbreaking, as in FroSch. One of the greatest singing actresses I was privileged to see.
I was lucky enough to see Jones onstage quite a few times. Always thrilling. Ok, sometimes she pushed her voice way too hard, and she could be wobbly; but the sheer beauty and size of that voice, and the total commitment to her character...it was overwhelming.
Yes I heard her often too. Some roles definitely more successful (Brünnhilde, Salome, - the best Salome I ever heard on stage - Elektra, Fidelio, Dyer's Wife) than others (Don Carlos, Donna Anna, Ariadne, Senta). These Ring performances were however especially good - certainly one of the best Brünnhildes ever. The voice had areas which could wobble but her tops were like steel and H-U-G-E! Her energy was infinitive. The thing that annoyed me the most however was her scooping. It was a nasty habit. But I was so often willing to look past it!
che ricordi.....incancellabile ...poichè avevo 30 anni all'alba della maturità...un capolavoro così assoluto.. mi cambiò le prospettive di Ascoltatore troppo passivo della musica. L 'esperienza empatica e in questo Caso la laicità mistica del Mito Nordico portato da un Genio nei Nevai dell'Arte....acceso da un Cast splendido....e da una compagine registica e estetica e sonora.. fu un battesimo ancestrale .....Unico.
I remember how many Wagner purists were outraged by the Communist symbology of Chereau's version of The Ring Cycle. I loved it and I still cry like a baby by the time the opera is over. Her voice and stage presence is brilliant. Brava
A+ I wish I could find the recording of this whole Ring which I recall I think to have been done in full on channel 13. I Love Nilsson. But, Jones is w/o question the best How I wish I could go back in time. I am so very old now. (54)
