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Not only is the singing on this disc uniformly excellent, but the organisation and selection of the music is also intriguing.
In a couple of years' time, the Canadian tenor Ben Heppner will make his role debut as Siegfried in Wagner's Ring Cycle at the Aix-en-Provence festival with Simon Rattle. In preparation for the event, he'll be singing Act III of Siegfried with Mark Elder at the Bridgewater Hall in November.
But before then we have this taster disc of music from the three main Ring operas, telling the story of the character's life from the incestuous union of his parents in Die Walküre to his death in Götterdämmerung. This is quite an accomplishment for Heppner, who sings the music of both Siegmund and Siegfried, and suggests that the new role could be the defining triumph of his career on stage.
The opening track is a thoughtful rendition of one of Wagner's classic monologues in which he describes again what has already happened. Siegmund sings of his fears and conflicts, and tells us that his father (Wotan) promised him a sword that would help him in his hour of need. Heppner captures Siegmund's pensive mood perfectly, and goes on to sing his love song, 'Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond', with ardent tone.
The excitement starts with the conclusion of Act 1, in which Siegmund and Sieglinde discover that they are brother and sister but decide to commit incest anyway. The cries of 'Notung! Notung!' are thrillingly done, whilst the closing bars feature an exhilaratingly held high A that shows the Heldentenor at his finest.
Next up is the 'Forging' scene from Siegfried, in which Siegmund's son pieces together his father's broken sword (Notung). The stamina and confidence of Heppner's voice are enthralling, especially in the leaping 'Ho-ho! Ha-hei!' sections. Burkhard Ulrich contributes a vivid Mime during this extract, and the two characters (who have lived in antagonistic confinement for nearly two decades) come to life with verve.
Peter Schneider's authoritative conducting of the Staatskapelle Dresden makes the Forest Murmurs emerge with precision rather than atmosphere. Just occasionally, it would be nice to have an orchestra with more bite and darker colours; but on the whole Siegfried's Rhine Journey and the Funeral Music are lovingly played without being special.
Heppner's voice certainly is special, however, and the extract from Götterdämmerung finds his voice in its prime and with less of the strain on top that is shown briefly in certain of the other tracks. This is a wonderful collection of one of today's top artists, and all bodes well for Heppner's appearances in these roles in Simon Rattle's Ring Cycle at Aix-en-Provence.
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