In spite of the hype of its packaging (whose intent seems to be to persuade that Wagner's Ring is as interesting as the epic Lord of the Rings and Star Wars films), this two-disc set offers a good sampling of highlights from the Metropolitan Opera's production of the complete cycle, unveiled between 2010 and 2012. The production by Robert Lepage generated considerable controversy, particularly over its gargantuan scenic elements, which necessitated rebuilding the Met's stage. Deutsche Grammophon has released the video of ...
Read More
In spite of the hype of its packaging (whose intent seems to be to persuade that Wagner's Ring is as interesting as the epic Lord of the Rings and Star Wars films), this two-disc set offers a good sampling of highlights from the Metropolitan Opera's production of the complete cycle, unveiled between 2010 and 2012. The production by Robert Lepage generated considerable controversy, particularly over its gargantuan scenic elements, which necessitated rebuilding the Met's stage. Deutsche Grammophon has released the video of the Met's Ring, but there are no indications of plans to release a complete audio version, so this may be the only opportunity for anyone who was not a fan of the visual elements to simply listen to the music.James Levine conducts the first two operas, but had to withdraw from the project for health reasons and Fabio Luisi, now the Met's principal conductor, leads the last two. Both draw sumptuous, expansive, dramatically surging performances from the Met Orchestra, whose playing...
Read Less