Starting with The Valkyrie, Chandos launches its long-awaited edition of the English National Opera’s live Ring Cycle from the 1970s, conducted by Reginald Goodall and sung in English. Those who have access to the hard-to-find imported EMI CD versions will wonder if Chandos’ 24-bit digital remastering makes any major sonic difference. Perhaps. The voices seem more forward, although the orchestra still sounds diffuse and lacks a real bottom.
It’s the singing that commands our primary attention here. Pride of place goes to Alberto Remedios’ ever-fresh and sweet-toned Siegmund, partnered by the rather reserved Sieglinde of Margaret Curphey. Clifford Grant is one of the great Hundings: his exciting, resonant bass gives life to the character’s dark, domineering side. Norman Bailey’s involving but dry Wotan opens up (vocally and emotionally) in the third act. Then there’s Rita Hunter’s solid, secure, even girlish portrayal of the title role. Ann Howard’s Fricka is well sung but less memorably characterized. But what a coherent and well-rehearsed gaggle of Valkyries, including at least two future stars: Anne Evans and Sarah Walker.
The litmus test for opera in English translation lies in whether or not you can understand the English upon first hearing. Mostly you can here, due to Andrew Porter’s carefully crafted text, which makes every effort to match English vowels and stresses to their German equivalents. Goodall’s slow-motion tempos and Knapperstbuschian gait may conjure up images of magisterial, rolling paragraphs, but the paragraphs lack punctuation. There’s little rhythmic inflection and forward-moving impetus from the pit, although the quieter, more conversational episodes flow without dragging. But the orchestra’s lack of tonal heft hurts in opera’s most richly scored passages. Full texts are included.
