Wagner: Das Rheingold

Overview

This 1978 studio production of the prologue to Wagner's masterpiece is the only segment of the famous Salzburg Festival/Metropolitan Opera productions, first seen in the 1960s, that made it to film. Based on one of those original productions, Georges Wakhevitch produced stage settings and transformations that supported Karajan's concept with every possible means. Herbert Von Karajan's staging is in the epic style of another age, emphasizing the dignity of the gods rather than their all too human failings. With the singers - foremost among them Peter Schreier - Karajan had an ensemble that fully conformed to his intentions.

Cast

Herbert von Karajan

Self - Conductor

Thomas Stewart

Wotan

Vladimir de Kanel

Donner (actor)

Leif Roar

Donner (singer)

Hermann Esser

Froh

Peter Schreier

Loge

Zoltán Kelemen

Alberich

Gerhard Stolze

Mime

Gerd Nienstedt

Fasolt (actor)

Karl Ridderbusch

Fasolt (singer)