Richard Wagner: Siegfried, Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart 1 October 2002 January 2003.

• Director: Jossi Wieler
• Conductor: Lothar Zagrosek
• Orchestra: Staatsorchester Stuttgart

Not since the so-called “100 Year Ring” (Bayreuth, 1976 to 1980) has a performance of Richard Wagner's monumental cycle created such a sensation as the Stuttgart productions. Each of the four parts was staged under a different team of directors and with a different cast, an unusual approach that had never before been realised on this scale. The four individual productions garnered the praise of national and international critics, who voted the Stuttgart Staatsoper “Opera House of the Year” three times in a row, not least because of this Ring.

This month is the turn of Siegfried, the third part of his Ring tetralogy, featuring the colossal figure of Jon Fredric West. Jossi Wieler's direction, in sets by Anna Viebrock, exercises an unprecedented power of suggestion to draw from Siegfried the glummest of all comedies, making laughter die in the throat, and presenting only one negative figure: the Wanderer, Wotan.

Cast

• Siegfried: Jon Fredric West
• Mime: Heinz Gohrig
• Der Wanderer: Wolfgang Schone
• Alberich: Bjorn Waag
• Fafner: Attila Jun
• Waldvogel: Gabriela Herrera
• Erda: Helene Ranada
• Brunnhilde: Lisa Gasteen

User Review

"Updated version using sets and clothing from the mid 20th century. Tells the story in a very clear and entertaining way using symbolism. The main problem with this production is the character of Siegfried who is cast as a wild adolescent and also who looks like one of the monsters from the film ‘Carry on Screaming’.

Picture quality 5
Sound quality 5
Sets 5 – Act 1 is a large kitchen. Act 2 is a prison camp. Act 3 is a sumptuous bedroom.
Music making (orchestra) 5
Direction (camera work) 5
Singing/Acting – Siegfried 4/1 Brunnhilde 4/3, Wotan 4/3, Mime 5/4, Albricht 5/5.
Costumes 5 – modern.

Worth trying if you like the use of symbolism. Especially the 1st and 2nd acts." Bosko Grove