Posted by Jacek Zychowicz
on March 25, 2006, 9:59:40, in reply to "Re: too many rings spoil the....."
83.6.196.48
I like very much Solti`s `Rheingold`. Nevertheless, compared to Karajan`s or Janowski`s recordings, this one may appear like musical theatre - or even movie sound-track - next to great musical art.
I must agree that Flagstad`s Fricka is perhaps the weakest point here. To my ear, she seems to be artificial and full of mannerisms. To appreciate her merits, one must turn especially to her Brunnhilde for Furtwaengler from La Scala.
The most convincing Fricka I ever heard is Anja Silja from Dohnanyi`s recordings. In many `Rings` I know, Fricka always bored me a bit. Any time she takes the floor, the dramatic tension falters. This may be logical, since Fricka, who speaks for traditional customs, cannot avoid being boring. Yet, Silja`s Fricka manages somehow to be equal to Wotan in their great confrontation from the 2nd Act of Die Walkuere.
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