Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) - Richard Wagner
Information about the opera Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Wagner's masterpiece, a 15-hour epic consisting of the four operas: Das Rheingold (The Rhinegold), Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods).
Recommended recordings on CD
Neuhold/Wegner/Cook (TIM 205200)
Recorded live at the Badisches Staatstheater, Karlsruhe, with generally good performances, digital sound, and very few stage noises, this is the same recording as Der Ring des Nibelungen (c. Neuhold) at an unbelievable price.
Badische State Chorus, Badische State Orchestra, conducted by Günter Neuhold, 1993-95.
Cast: John Wegner (Wotan), Edward Cook (Siegmund), Wolfgang Neumann (Siegfried), Carla Pohl (Brünnhilde), Oleg Bryjak (Alberich).
TIM 205200
Böhm/Adam/King (Philips 446 057-2)
A superbly exciting live version of the Ring, at bargain price as 14 CDs in slip cases with no libretto.
Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Bayreuth Festival Chorus, conducted by Karl Böhm, 1967.
Cast: Theo Adam (Wotan), James King (Siegmund), Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried), Birgit Nilsson (Brünnhilde), Annelies Burmeister (Alberich).
Philips 446 057-2
Solti/London/King (Decca 455 555-2)
The best studio Ring, superbly recorded with a first-rate cast.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Georg Solti, 1958-65.
Cast: George London (Wotan), James King (Siegmund), Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried), Birgit Nilsson (Brünnhilde), Marilyn Tyler (Alberich).
Decca 455 555-2
Neuhold/Wegner/Cook (Brilliant Classics 99801)
Recorded live at the Badisches Staatstheater, Karlsruhe, with generally good performances, digital sound, and very few stage noises, this budget Ring has many outstanding points to recommend it.
Badische State Chorus, Badische State Orchestra, conducted by Günter Neuhold, 1993-95.
Cast: John Wegner (Wotan), Edward Cook (Siegmund), Wolfgang Neumann (Siegfried), Carla Pohl (Brünnhilde), Oleg Bryjak (Alberich).
Brilliant Classics 99801
Recommended recordings on DVD
Schonwandt (Decca 074 3264DH7)
Known as "The Copenhagen Ring", this fresh interpretation with a relatively unknown cast and conductor created a stir because of its originality and emotion. Winner of a 2009 Gramophone Magazine award.
Royal Danish Opera, conducted by Michael Schønwandt, 2006.
Decca 074 3264DH7