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Rating: 
Summary: Salminen!!!
Review: I don't know about the rest, but man was Matti Salminen something else! He absolutely dominated, looming over (especially) Gunther and the rest. And when he called the vassals together to greet Gunther and Brunhilde, I worried that he would falter because I didn't think that kind of output was humanly possible.I do have to mention that Jerusalem wasn't bad, although the acting seemed exaggerated and forced, much like Behrens' acting. Behrens was okay but she did falter a bit here and there and I am willing to concede that (listening to Karajan's Ring as well) Wagner places a lot of demands on the singers and only Salminen was really up for the challenge, with the rest being adequate. I think I may have to go for Solti where Birgit Nilsson sings Brunhilde. Lastly, Gutrune was okay because her role is not to be a force like Hagen and Brunhilde, but more subtle.
Rating: 
Summary: The least satisfactory of the 4 operas
Review: I'm afraid this performance of Gotterdammerung is the least satisfactory in the 4 Ring operas and it provides a sort of anti-climatic conclusion to the Levine Metropolitan Ring. While Levine creates some sense of urgency in the preceding dramas, his sprawling tempos here don't serve the work very well and the drama sags from time to time. That said, the performance of the orchestra is exceptionally good. It's only Levine's plodding tempos that is the liability here. The singing is unexceptional. In fact, with such slow tempos preferred by Levine, some of the singers encounter problems when trying to sustaining phrases. The chief casualty is no doubt Hildegard Behrens. Her Brunnhilde is not only underwhelming, her struggles with some of the climatic phrases are made far too evident. Siegfried Jerusalem is a secure Siegfried, but his performance lacks individuality. The other roles are not particularly well taken. Vocally, the performance doesn't have much to boast about. The stage direction is generally good, although the ending - the collapse of Valhalla and the over-flowing of the Rhine - is vastly under-staged. On the whole, it is indeed quite a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: And the best supporting players are...
Review: Matti Salminen & Christa Ludwig. Maybe this opera is about Brunnhilde & Siegfried, but you'd never know from the riveting supporting performances by the above-mentioned bass & mezzo. They're really the reason to check out this pretty straight forward* version of "Gotterdammerung." They and Levine's superb conducting of the magnificent Metropolitan Opera orchestra. And have I mentioned one of Wagner's masterpieces? If you're a Wagner fan, what are you waiting for? If not, nothing I say will change your mind. On the other hand, maybe Matti & Christa will. (*Not necessarily a bad thing.)
Rating:
Summary: And the best supporting players are...
Review: Matti Salminen & Christa Ludwig. Maybe this opera is about Brunnhilde & Siegfried, but you'd never know from the riveting supporting performances by the above-mentioned bass & mezzo. They're really the reason to check out this pretty straight forward* version of "Gotterdammerung." They and Levine's superb conducting of the magnificent Metropolitan Opera orchestra. And have I mentioned one of Wagner's masterpieces? If you're a Wagner fan, what are you waiting for? If not, nothing I say will change your mind. On the other hand, maybe Matti & Christa will. (*Not necessarily a bad thing.)
Rating:
Summary: A lame effort
Review: The biggest, darkest, most savage bass in his biggest, darkest, most savage role. None of the other singers matter.
Rating:
Summary: Matti Salminen, super-human giant.
Review: The biggest, darkest, most savage bass in his biggest, darkest, most savage role. None of the other singers matter.
Rating: 
Summary: "Not Up ToThe Task"
Review: The Met Opera orchestra is phenomenal as always.Gotterdammerung calls for a vocal powerhouse in its Brunnhilde. It is the pivotal role for the success of this opera. Ms. Behrens was not that Brunnhilde.You've read the other reviewers assessments of her deficiencies. Was there something political involved in her getting the role? Waltraud Meier would have been a better choice.I was particularly impressed with the vocal dynamics of 1St Norn Gweneth Bean. I also enjoyed her as Dryade in the Met production of Strauss' Ariadne Auf Naxos.I'd like to see what she could do with bigger roles.Behrens truly was the weakest link.Bye-Bye.
Rating:
Summary: A lame effort
Review: The opera is supposed to be the climax of Wagner's Ring cycle. Unfortunately, the performance here is rather inadequate, which detracts from the majesty of the opera. The production is traditional (which is good) but badly directed. The singers are either left with no direction to hang onto, or they are merely able to fill the acting requirements with half-hearted stock gestures. Their singing is unremarkable, in particular Hildegard Behrens's strained Brunnhilde. Levine and his orchestra are quite admirable, although I've heard them on better forms. All in all, it's quite a lame effort.
Rating:
Summary: Almost a musical disaster
Review: Unfortunally,beautiful set and costumes in a
satisfactory DVD transfer can`t save this production
from musical mediocrity.Levine,Behrens and Jerusalem
seems like to play the opera without any rehersal,
the scene four on act two is a real disaster.Of course
some singers are in excellent shape:Salminen,Ludwig
and Wlaschiha just are doing their best,but who can
ignore Behrens`scenic weakness and Jerusalem`s dirty
vocal tone?She acts sometimes like if she was drunk
but not under any poisons.Her immolation(Levine guilty?)
is so fast that I can imagine so many jokes why Grane,
the Brunhilde`s horse isn`t on the stage.I will give
3 stars just there are a lot of very good professionals
behind the Met`s curtains.
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