Barenboim's seminal Ring cycle, available for the first time on Blu-Ray. Filmed at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus in June & July 1991 and 1992.
The Blu-ray booklet features 20 production photographs most of which have not been seen before.
Also included on the Blu-ray release is a 15 minute bonus documentary made in 2005 featuring Daniel Barenboim and Sir John Tomlinson talking about the Harry Kupfer Ring production. It gives a fascinating insight in to the project, with the benefit of hindsight.
"Put on the Teldec and you will be overpowered by what may be the finest reproduction that you have ever heard. It is more than sensational, it's incredible."
(Michael Tanner, Classic CD, October 1994)
A crowd watch the end of the world on television
"I am more than ever impressed by Barenboim's exciting, excitable conducting. His ability to integrate massive dramatic peaks within the 'symphonic' span of Wagner's long, action-packed acts, his evident love of Wagner's orchestration and his deeply felt response to Wagner's most profoundly moving utterances make this the most compelling of modern recorded Rings."
(Hugh Canning, BBC Music Magazine, October 1994)
Siegfried forges the sword
“From his singing actors director Harry Kupfer has secured performances of unremitting physical and emotional energy… It’s an extraordinary tour de force, thrillingly sung off the text and the action.”
(Gramophone 2005)
The Valkyries
The Rhinemaidens and Alberich
Brünnhilde and Siegfried
Der Wanderer and the Woodbird