Pape's technique is solid, but overall this does't hold a candle to Levine and Morris at the Met. Seriously. Conductor is uninspired in this performance.
Pape has a beautiful creamy voice, the only problem with this version is that the music is far too slow. I guess that is a common fault of Wagner performance these days.
Es ist natürlich wie so oft eine Geschmacksfrage,was die Stimmfärbung und das Timbre betrifft. René singt das sehr anständig, aber es stimmt schon, daß es doch recht hell gesungen ist, aber es klingt gesund und er tut sich damit nicht weh und das ist aus seiner Sicht das wichtigste.
¿Y London? ¿Nos olvidamos de George London? Voz rotunda, poderosa, oscura, brillante en la zona alta, sin la opacidad de otros bajo-barítonos. Uno de los mejores Wotan que ha habido. ¡Lástima que apenas dejara registros discográficos de tan extraordinario papel!
¿Y London? ¿Nos olvidamos de George London? Voz rotunda, poderosa, oscura, brillante en la zona alta, sin la opacidad de otros bajo-barítonos. Uno de los mejores Wotan que ha habido. ¡Lástima que apenas dejara registros discográficos de tan extraordinario papel!
this is one of the best interpretation i´ve ever heared. Pape and tomlinson currently are the best wotan-singers. and i wonder hardly, to call pape a guy!!!!! a little bit more respect!
Terfel is certainly not a mediocre Wotan! Sure his voice may not have the darkness that a Wotan needs but having heard Pape and Terfel sing it live Terfel definitely projects it better (Pape is quite light actually). Heck, nobody's perfect, but Terfel is probably the best there is at present and he's not even a deep bass!
Well, he's a very "clean" Wotan. There is, as you say, little darkness. There is precision and a great deal of technical merit with both Terfel and Pape, but for me, Wotan needs a certain gruffness or fire. Still, these are perhaps some of the best Wotan's we have today, but compared to the likes of McIntyre and London, they lack power and presence.
I love Pape; but I haven't listened to enough Wagner yet to really comment on whether I think he would be a successful Wotan in all regards. I did see him in Das Rheingold recently, as Fasolt, and he was excellent. I do see wotan3000's points about Hotter; I've heard his recording with Solti, and his Wotan is majestic. I'll have to look into the Koch recording.
I think he has a beautiful voice, and as far as I can determine by this performance, he might be a great upcoming Wotan, but (and this is my BUT) IMHO so far nobody in recent years has come even remotely near the capacity of Robert Hale in performing this particular part. Such a pity there are so few recordings around of him. I have had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him perform the role live at the Deutsche Oper Berlin many times, and he is my hero.
Wonderful voice... there is no doubt. It is interesting to see this little teaser. However, the voice to not large enough for Wotan... if this is taken into his repertoire it will destroy the top of this voice. Just imagine the stamina and power required for this part week after week, season after season, year after year. But i did love the commitment within the singing. Greta post... kind regards,
As a purist I agree. I have heard Pape enough to agree with the adjective "trim" describing his voice.
Granted, "Trim" voice is not something regularly associated with Wotan.
Here comes the "BUT"
But there are so few (if any) "real" Wotans available that having Pape do a handful a year is better than not. He is a thoughtful singer who could do some nice things with the music.
To be sure... we agree. As we both know, my friend in music... the part of Wotan really is a towering musical achievement. In my humble opinion it is one of the pinnacales of western art. As such demands a sing of equal and epic talents. I think Bryn will be ready in another 5-10 years if he makes the effort. Your opinion? My kind and warm regards,
Well, IMO Terfel is not actually getting better at singing. He will most likely make as poor a Wotan tomorrow as today.
Much like James Morris' voice has recoiled from it's splendid size and color over the past decades, misuse robbing it. This same thing is happening to Terfel IMO. He has never had a good technique. Stupendous natural voice, but the technique has always been off.
Pape yells high notes too, but, though the voice is smaller, he doesnt' beat it up as much.
Voice was the perfect timbre for it. The voice was massive. His artistic attention to nuance was impeccable. There are some Koch live recording that are primal and devastating. Even at his most distressed point of asthmatic problems, he still could tear through every aspect.
The Solti Ring is the WORST recording of Wotan I have of Hotter singing it, and it is better than most everyone else regardless.
I am a HUGE fan of Hans Hotter in ever aspect of Wotan.
Pape's technique is solid, but overall this does't hold a candle to Levine and Morris at the Met. Seriously. Conductor is uninspired in this performance.
AnnAdairActually 4 weeks ago
What a tepid orchestra.
elainebmack 4 months ago
Pape has a beautiful creamy voice, the only problem with this version is that the music is far too slow. I guess that is a common fault of Wagner performance these days.
eusebium7 4 months ago
Yes, a very flabby performance, let Eliot Gardiner perform a Ring Cycle, he'd blow away all those worthless cobwebs of 'tradition'!
eusebium7 4 months ago
Finally a Wotan with culture and not that ugly, hoarse, wobbly and woofy barking sound offered by so many of today's baritones/basses.
AfroPoli 7 months ago
Comment removed
singingiris 10 months ago
Comment removed
singingiris 10 months ago
Ok a little strained at the top but overall the best Wotan by far. What more could anyone ask for in a Wotan?
simondrift 1 year ago 3
Wotan to my ears.......
Adirondaque 1 year ago 2
Es ist natürlich wie so oft eine Geschmacksfrage,was die Stimmfärbung und das Timbre betrifft. René singt das sehr anständig, aber es stimmt schon, daß es doch recht hell gesungen ist, aber es klingt gesund und er tut sich damit nicht weh und das ist aus seiner Sicht das wichtigste.
SuperDarchangel 1 year ago
¿Y London? ¿Nos olvidamos de George London? Voz rotunda, poderosa, oscura, brillante en la zona alta, sin la opacidad de otros bajo-barítonos. Uno de los mejores Wotan que ha habido. ¡Lástima que apenas dejara registros discográficos de tan extraordinario papel!
AlberichNibelungo 1 year ago
¿Y London? ¿Nos olvidamos de George London? Voz rotunda, poderosa, oscura, brillante en la zona alta, sin la opacidad de otros bajo-barítonos. Uno de los mejores Wotan que ha habido. ¡Lástima que apenas dejara registros discográficos de tan extraordinario papel!
AlberichNibelungo 1 year ago
this is one of the best interpretation i´ve ever heared. Pape and tomlinson currently are the best wotan-singers. and i wonder hardly, to call pape a guy!!!!! a little bit more respect!
TheNoDrugs 2 years ago
Wow. This guy is incredible. Terfel watch out.
Gwallteriedig77 2 years ago
Terfel? A really mediocre Wotan.
IchiTheRipper 2 years ago
Terfel is certainly not a mediocre Wotan! Sure his voice may not have the darkness that a Wotan needs but having heard Pape and Terfel sing it live Terfel definitely projects it better (Pape is quite light actually). Heck, nobody's perfect, but Terfel is probably the best there is at present and he's not even a deep bass!
Gwallteriedig77 2 years ago
Well, he's a very "clean" Wotan. There is, as you say, little darkness. There is precision and a great deal of technical merit with both Terfel and Pape, but for me, Wotan needs a certain gruffness or fire. Still, these are perhaps some of the best Wotan's we have today, but compared to the likes of McIntyre and London, they lack power and presence.
IchiTheRipper 2 years ago
I love Pape; but I haven't listened to enough Wagner yet to really comment on whether I think he would be a successful Wotan in all regards. I did see him in Das Rheingold recently, as Fasolt, and he was excellent. I do see wotan3000's points about Hotter; I've heard his recording with Solti, and his Wotan is majestic. I'll have to look into the Koch recording.
SZRD 2 years ago
Hotters interpretation is rly excellent, but i prefer the recording with Theo Adam in the Janowski-Ring ;)
singingisall 2 years ago
I think he has a beautiful voice, and as far as I can determine by this performance, he might be a great upcoming Wotan, but (and this is my BUT) IMHO so far nobody in recent years has come even remotely near the capacity of Robert Hale in performing this particular part. Such a pity there are so few recordings around of him. I have had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him perform the role live at the Deutsche Oper Berlin many times, and he is my hero.
selysia 2 years ago
Je le trouve même mieux que Terfel.
isabelle070209 2 years ago
Wonderful voice... there is no doubt. It is interesting to see this little teaser. However, the voice to not large enough for Wotan... if this is taken into his repertoire it will destroy the top of this voice. Just imagine the stamina and power required for this part week after week, season after season, year after year. But i did love the commitment within the singing. Greta post... kind regards,
ImTreibhaus 2 years ago
As a purist I agree. I have heard Pape enough to agree with the adjective "trim" describing his voice.
Granted, "Trim" voice is not something regularly associated with Wotan.
Here comes the "BUT"
But there are so few (if any) "real" Wotans available that having Pape do a handful a year is better than not. He is a thoughtful singer who could do some nice things with the music.
wotan3000 2 years ago
To be sure... we agree. As we both know, my friend in music... the part of Wotan really is a towering musical achievement. In my humble opinion it is one of the pinnacales of western art. As such demands a sing of equal and epic talents. I think Bryn will be ready in another 5-10 years if he makes the effort. Your opinion? My kind and warm regards,
ImTreibhaus 2 years ago
Well, IMO Terfel is not actually getting better at singing. He will most likely make as poor a Wotan tomorrow as today.
Much like James Morris' voice has recoiled from it's splendid size and color over the past decades, misuse robbing it. This same thing is happening to Terfel IMO. He has never had a good technique. Stupendous natural voice, but the technique has always been off.
Pape yells high notes too, but, though the voice is smaller, he doesnt' beat it up as much.
Opinions, of course!
wotan3000 2 years ago
The greatest Wotan?
ImTreibhaus 2 years ago
Hans Hotter - by a large margin.
Voice was the perfect timbre for it. The voice was massive. His artistic attention to nuance was impeccable. There are some Koch live recording that are primal and devastating. Even at his most distressed point of asthmatic problems, he still could tear through every aspect.
The Solti Ring is the WORST recording of Wotan I have of Hotter singing it, and it is better than most everyone else regardless.
I am a HUGE fan of Hans Hotter in ever aspect of Wotan.
wotan3000 2 years ago