Product Review

Richard Wagners 7DVD, 4Blu-ray edition of the Ring, featuring one of the greatest conductors of our time at the podium: Daniel Barenboim, is a veritable feast for the senses, a treat for all Wagner aficionados and a wonderful opportunity to revisit the legendary La Scala in Milan. Wagners tale about the power of the ring, the reign of gold and the battle between dwarves, giants, gods and mortals is picturesque, complex and deeply psychological. It is a demanding work for musicians, singers and the production team. In his stage production, the Belgian Guy Cassiers conveys the aesthetic quality and musical brilliance of this gesamtkunstwerk in dazzling imagery. The renowned cast of singers includes René Pape, Waltraud Meier, Lance Ryan, Nina Stemme, Simon ONeill, Iréne Theorin and many others. This was opera magic where Daniel Barenboim brought out the full depth and passion of Wagners music. (The Telegraph) The production scores a triumph in the use of light-dark imagery to mirror the archetypal forces at play, underscoring the music rather than overwhelming it with images. (Opera Today)