Wagner: Das Rheingold (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.
Director: Herbert von Karajan
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Herbert von Karajan as Self - Conductor |
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Thomas Stewart as Wotan |
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Vladimir de Kanel as Donner (actor) |
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Leif Roar as Donner (singer) |
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Hermann Esser as Froh |
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Peter Schreier as Loge |
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Zoltán Kelemen as Alberich |
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Gerhard Stolze as Mime |
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Gerd Nienstedt as Fasolt (actor) |
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Karl Ridderbusch as Fasolt (singer) |
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Louis Hendrikx as Fafner |
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Brigitte Fassbaender as Fricka |
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Jeannine Altmeyer as Freia |
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Martha Mödl as Erda (actor) |
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Birgit Finnilä as Erda (singer) |
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Eva Randová as Woglinde |
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Edda Moser as Wellgunde |
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Liselotte Rebmann as Flosshilde |
| Directing | Herbert von Karajan | Director |
| Sound | Richard Wagner | Original Music Composer |
| Writing | Richard Wagner | Writer |
| Camera | Ernst Wild | Director of Photography |
