One Rheingold to rule them all

By Kevin Wells, 19 July 2017

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“the bright, shining ring atop this hoard of riches was the orchestra itself”

Reviewed at Tanglewood, Koussevitzky Music Shed, Lenox on 15 July 2017

Wagner, Das Rheingold

Andris Nelsons, Conductor

Thomas Johannes Mayer, Wotan

Ryan McKinny, Donner

David Butt Philip, Froh

Kim Begley, Loge

Jochen Schmeckenbecher, Alberich

David Cangelosi, Mime

Morris Robinson, Fasolt

Ain Anger, Fafner

Stephanie Blythe, Fricka

Malin Christensson, Freia

Patricia Bardon, Erda

Jacqueline Echols, Woglinde

Catherine Martin, Wellgunde

Renée Tatum, Flosshilde

Boston Symphony Orchestra

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Laurence Cummings and John Caird’s second Garsington exploration of the operas of Monteverdi brims with wonderfully playing and singing in an attractive setting.

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!

One Rheingold to rule them all: the Boston Symphony and Andris Nelsons at Tanglewood