A for effort for the production team – but the real interest of this release is musical. Thielemann’s fourth recording of this opera assembles his strongest cast yet…Harteros is a clearly projected, emotional Sieglinde…Kampe, as always, is bright, forward, intelligent and the centre of attention on stage…The sound of Thielemann’s orchestra, darker-sounding than usual from more Western-based orchestras…is one of the pleasures of the set.

I should mention that the audience reaction at the end of the opera was most enthusiastic, the curtain calls drawing plentiful and vigorous applause and cheers. I always watch to the end, measuring their reaction against my impression. Had I been there, I would’ve cheered too. Camera work, picture clarity and sound reproduction are all very good.

Musically the cast is impressive…Peter Seiffert remains a phenomenon as Siegmund..Anja Harteros is one best members of the cast at maximizing the impact of the text. Georg Zeppenfeld is an implacably forthright Hunding. Anja Kampe's Brunnhilde is never less than solid and secure. Thielemann conducts his superb Dresden orchestra in a steady, at times contained reading of the score, never overemphatic, and light on its feet.