Wagner: Siegfried (Highlights)

Wagner: Siegfried Highlights / Jerusalem, Tomlinson, Clark, Evans, Barenboim Composer: Richard Wagner Performer: Graham Clark, Siegfried Jerusalem, John Tomlinson, Anne Evans Conductor: Daniel Barenboim Orchestra/Ensemble: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Siegfried, WWV 86C, is the third of the four operas that constitute Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), by Richard Wagner. It premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus on 16 August 1876, as part of the first complete performance of The Ring. This part of the opera is primarily inspired by the story of the legendary hero Sigurd in Norse mythology. The Barenboim Ring cycle is acclaimed as one of the best of recent times, with John Tomlinson as Wotan, Anne Evans as Brunnhilde, and Siegfried Jerusalem, appropriately enough, as Siegfried. While listeners, critics and philosophers have argued passionately about various interpretations of Wagner's libretto, and opera fans and critics debate the relative merits of singers and performances and sets, there are few who are not moved by the magnificent music. And Barenboim and the Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele are superb!