Wagner: Das Rheingold

Wagner: Das Rheingold

143 mins | Music | May 31, 1978

This 1978 studio production of the prologue to Wagner's masterpiece is the only segment of the famous Salzburg Festival/Metropolitan Opera productions, first seen in the 1960s, that made it to film. Based on one of those original productions, Georges Wakhevitch produced stage settings and transformations that supported Karajan's concept with every possible means. Herbert Von Karajan's staging is in the epic style of another age, emphasizing the dignity of the gods rather than their all too human failings. With the singers - foremost among them Peter Schreier - Karajan had an ensemble that fully conformed to his intentions.

Wagner: Das Rheingold

143 mins | Music | May 31, 1978

Wagner: Das Rheingold
This 1978 studio production of the prologue to Wagner's masterpiece is the only segment of the famous Salzburg Festival/Metropolitan Opera productions, first seen in the 1960s, that made it to film. Based on one of those original productions, Georges Wakhevitch produced stage settings and transformations that supported Karajan's concept with every possible means. Herbert Von Karajan's staging is in the epic style of another age, emphasizing the dignity of the gods rather than their all too human failings. With the singers - foremost among them Peter Schreier - Karajan had an ensemble that fully conformed to his intentions.
Producers Unitel
Original title Wagner: Das Rheingold
Directors Herbert von Karajan
Writers Richard Wagner

Cast

Herbert von Karajan

as Self - Conductor

Thomas Stewart

as Wotan

Vladimir de Kanel

as Donner (actor)

Leif Roar

as Donner (singer)

Hermann Esser

as Froh

Peter Schreier

as Loge

Zoltán Kelemen

as Alberich

Gerhard Stolze

as Mime

Gerd Nienstedt

as Fasolt (actor)

Karl Ridderbusch

as Fasolt (singer)

Louis Hendrikx

as Fafner

Martha Mödl

as Erda (actor)

Birgit Finnilä

as Erda (singer)

Eva Randová

as Woglinde

Edda Moser

as Wellgunde

Liselotte Rebmann

as Flosshilde