Die Walküre (1980)

Director:

Brian Large

Writers:

Richard Wagner (text), Richard Wagner (libretto)

Stars:

Peter Hofmann, Jeannine Altmeyer, Katie Clarke

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Peter Hofmann	...	Siegmund
Jeannine Altmeyer	...	Sieglinde
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Katie Clarke	...	Helmwige
Elisabeth Glauser	...	Rossweisse
Ilse Gramatzki	...	Grimgerde
Gwyneth Jones	...	Brünhilde
Gwendolyn Killebrew	...	Schwertleite
Donald McIntyre	...	Wotan
Karen Middleton	...	Ortlinde
Carmen Reppel	...	Gerhilde
Matti Salminen	...	Hunding
Marga Schiml	...	Siegrune
Gabriele Schnaut	...	Waltraute
Hanna Schwarz	...	Fricka

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

opera | der ring des nibelungen

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Genres:

Fantasy | Drama | Music

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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

1980 (West Germany)

Filming Locations:

Festspielhaus, Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

UNITEL

Technical Specs

Runtime:

216 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Der Ring des Nibelungen (1980)

User Reviews

Free-thinking, watchable production of one of operas peaks

A terrific production that really lends itself to the (small) screen. Chereau and Boulez went about building a production from scratch that would be faithful to Wagner's idea of music theatre in mounting this work (and part of the extras on the recording is a making-of documentary on all four operas of their Ring Cycle, of which this is one part).

Crucially, the performance is kinetic, especially in the famous first act. The Siegmund and Seglinde of Altmeyer and Hoffmann - siblings who become lovers during the act - defy casting convention in being young, lithe, dramatic singers. And so the process continues with casting, design and dramatic intent built from the principles of what is to be achieved in presenting the drama to the audience. The singing does not suffer as you'd be forgiven for thinking it might; the performance from the pit is first rate. 7/10