Das Rheingold (1992 TV Movie) User Reviews

Epic and triumphant

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 11 April 2012]

The Ring Cycle is the very definition of epic, and up there with Wagner's finest work. Das Rheingold is the first part, and a compelling opera it is. This production is a triumph, all four 1992-1993 Ring Barenboim-conducted performances are brilliant with only the ending of Gotterdammerung coming across as truly disappointing, but of the four my favourite is between this and Siegfried. Visually, Das Rheingold of the four productions was the most interesting especially in the stage effects representing the Rhine, and the technical parts of the DVD are equally impressive, as is Henry Kupfer's trademark work with the singers.

Musically, it blew my mind, right from the powerful orchestral playing particularly in the Rhinedaughters' motif and Alberich's Curse, to Daniel Barenboim's very dynamic conducting, always paying close attention to phrasing and other musical details. The performances are of high quality, with the standout being John Tomlinson. As much as I do love Terfel, Morris and McIntyre in the role, Tomlinson for me with his authoritative presence and resonant voice is the best Wotan on DVD. Fasolt and Fafner are slight disappointments in look(giant bodies yet small heads), however this is compensated by the fact that Matthias Holle and Phillip Kang's performances are so good, with their singing as powerful as their towering presence over the stage.

Also worth of note are the touching Erda of Birgitta Svendon, the skin-crawling and grumpy Alberich of Gunter Von Kannen and especially Graham Clark's lightning-sharp Loge. Overall, an epic and triumphant performance of a Wagnerian masterpiece. Tomlinson(though he would have juicier music in Siegfried and particularly Die Walkure) and the musical values are the things to watch out for. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Camp Fire

[Gyran · 10/10 · 2 July 2007]

I have seen this film from the 1992 Bayreuth Ring Cycle a couple of times before but I watched it again this week before seeing a live production of Das Rheingold at Longborough. Having refreshed my knowledge of the opera, I was able to sit in my favourite seat in the middle of Row A, breathing down the conductor's neck, without worrying about having to read the surtitles. This 1992 film was my first ever experience of Wagner's Ring and, as you might imagine, it changed my life.The brilliance of the orchestral playing, under Daniel Barenboim, is apparent from the opening bars. Visually, this introduction is also the most impressive part of the production as it gradually reveals the Rheinmaidens at the bottom of the Rhine being confronted by the dwarf Alberich, played by the magnificently grumpy Günter Von Kannen. It looks like a big budget film rather than a record of a stage production. I get a tingling feeling every time I watch this, in the knowledge that I am setting out on an epic 15-hour journey.

Stage Director Harry Kupfer takes Wagner's impossible stage directions literally, even to the extent of having real giants. Matthias Hölle and Philip Kang as Fastolt and Fafner are about 20ft high and are moved around, presumably, by stage hands hidden underneath their skirts. This is the least successful part of the production as the singers lack mobility and look silly with human-sized heads on top of giant bodies.

On previous viewings, I had concentrated on John Tomlinson's performance as Wotan. He is magnificent, presaging even greater performances in the nest two parts of the Cycle but it is noticeable that Wotan, in this first part, is not a particularly big sing. He spends a lot of time just posing with his spear while Loge, the god of fire runs round doing his work for him. The real star of the show is Graham Clarke's camp Loge, the only gay in Valhalla. Clarke's Loge really emphasises the distance between himself and the other gods. They are stupid and selfish, he is a real bright spark who, disgusted with their behaviour, is left finally alone as he refuses to join them in Valhalla.

So, the night after watching this wonderful production costing mega marks, I went to hear Das Rheingold in the quiet Cotswold village of Longborough in an auditorium not much bigger than a village hall. In its own way, that too was life-changing, proving that Wagner can be equally well staged on a small budget with a big imagination.

Beautifully shot

[bjoernidler · 9/10 · 21 May 2019]

I'll keep this brief. Wagner's epic opera quadrilogy doesn't need any more praise.

This version is beautifully filmed. Multiple cameras were used to capture wide angles as well as closer views of the characters. We can see the whole stage and the facial expressions of the singers involved. You can't get this experience in the opera house.

The use of fog and light is quite efficient here and sets the mood well. This compensates for the otherwise rather simple stage decoration.

The orchestra delivers a nuanced, detailed sound instead of a typical wagnerian wall of sound that is too often associated with his music. I enjoyed this. It is a nice testament to Barenboim's conducting.

My only criticism concerns the quality of the DVD's picture and sound. It isn't bad per se. But you can clearly see and hear that Das Rheingold was filmed during the 1990s. Had it been filmed today in High Definition and in surround sound, the experience would have been even more immersive. But this is just a minor flaw. With a good sound system the opera is still an acoustic feast.