George London "Leb`wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind" Die Walküre

[@tobiaspeter6555]

After this Wotan I cannot listen to any other without a strong feeling of inadequacy

[@janeenv]

Truly heart-stopping. Without a doubt one of the greatest performances I've ever heard and I've heard a lot. This is the Mary Poppins performance of Leb Wohl... PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY

[@道-p2e]

Such a glorious bass-baritone, huge full power, voluminous yet vibrant and deeply soaked with finest lyricism. Where can we land another glory close to this!!!! Love this best Wotan deeply...

[@janeenv]

Truly TRULY beyond magnificent

[@道-p2e]

@@janeenv 🔺🔺🔺🔺👍

[@nickcowie]

It could be one hundred years before anyone gets close to George London. Truly a godlike voice.

[@tomkorbuszewski617]

Right on! Even Michael Volle can 't quite live up to London's incredible skills!!

[@tannurlevic746]

Please!!!! there was no one like Hans Hotter

[@billhobbins8823]

George London was one of the greatest Wagnerian singers of all time. His voice had a terrific, ringy edge while maintaining a full, robust color of sound. No one cut through Wagner's orchestra better. We haven't had anyone of this caliber in some time. It is a shame that he struggled with vocal and medical issues. He stands among the very finest Wotans of all eras.

[@tomkorbuszewski617]

I agree! The only worthy succesor might be Michael Volle.

[@bencopeland3560]

@@tomkorbuszewski617 wait now, this is the guy you’re comparing favorably to George London? 🫤 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f17PhHR_pNuii9E

[@allenjones3130]

London was the definitive Wotan.

[@lucamartin6825]

Simply the best in one of the best moments in classical music.

[@MrJohnnystott]

Majestic but also hauntingly beautiful. One of the greatest voices of the 20th century.

[@道-p2e]

so true, 100%

[@janeenv]

Transcends EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE

[@tomkorbuszewski617]

You know what it is? The combination of space in his head and the support from below!!

[@stephenmorton9780]

London was simply magnificent. It's a huge powerful sound with an edge that cuts through the thickest orchestral texture, yet remains round and beautiful. Beneath it all is a wonderful legato line, near-perfect diction and amazing power. To me, he dwarfs any other Wotan. They sound like children in comparison. There will never be another George London.

[@hrh4961]

How wonderful you know the future. Like to supply numbers for this week's lottery?

[@fidalgofeten2931]

@@hrh4961 Haha, great. And let's not forget Hans Hotter.

[@hrh4961]

@@fidalgofeten2931 As long as recordings exist, he will not be. Thankfully.

[@janeenv]

It's just such a magnificent voice that it is really impossible to describe it and be fair to how magical it is

[@tobiaspeter6555]

The only Wotans I would accept next to London are Alexander Kipnis and Ferdinand Frantz, both long dead. I was never much into Hans Hotter; he lost voice control early and developed an unpleasant wobble.

[@hansdrp]

Leinsdorf was a real singers´ conductor, one of the best and one of my favorite conductors

[@Giovannifabuloso]

I remember auditioning for George London when I first started out and how wonderful he was. He gave me great encouragement while also telling me that I had a great voice, but that I was lazy and had to crack the books and the world would hear from me. I took his advice. He was a great artist, a wonderful human being. We will not hear the likes of him again. What a magnificent fiery and passionate voice

[@expatmartin]

Unsurpassed and magnificent. A great man and superb singer. RIP George London

[@theonewhoknocks6353]

Second best Wotan ever such a stellar performance by the great George London.

[@janeenv]

If God will allow George London to sing this to me in heaven, I will never commit another sin in my life... And that's almost as impossible as how gloriously beautiful this voice and performance is. Everything about it is perfect. This rolling and passionately brilliant vocal sound accompanied by a perfect orchestra... I cannot stop listening to this performance. I'm a musician and have heard some unbelievable performances in the past, but this is at the top of my list and definitely would be counted on the fingers of one hand.... not including the thumb. TRANSCENDANT

[@michelescales2813]

!!!! un des rares vrais WOTAN !!!!! magnifique !!!!! les "helden baryton" manquent de nos jours ...... bravo aux anciens...... gardiens de l'art du chant !!

[@stevevandien310]

Listening to London again after some years, I'm impressed by his voice's lyricism and sheer beauty, especially given its size and power --

[@15walhalla]

George London brings tears to my eyes when I listen to his Wotan. There are, and never will be, better than he. I have sung in many Wagnerian concerts and operas, and also with David Ward in Scottish Opera. Hans Hotter said of David that he would be a better Wotan than he himself. Sadly, David died before this could be proved. George London was the greatest Wotan - and all other Wagnerian roles. Thank God for his recordings - for us in which to wallow and weep. Josephine Allen-Kemper - G.S.M. & D. Gold Medalist

[@airmackeeee6792]

Darn right!! George London was the Wotan of Wotans!!

[@airmackeeee6792]

***** Hi Kaiserinbeatrix. I am sorry. I have tried to be opened minded, and open eared(!), but Frantz just doesn't get anywhere near London in regards to vocalism and interpretation of this most important scene. Wotan is not even in Frantz's fach. He is often off pitch (which wouldn't be too hard since he recorded this in Vienna with its higher pitch tunings). Frantz also scoops up into notes which is a very bad habit. He doesn't have the same stamina for Wotan as George London. Frantz is SO tired by the end that he is manipulating vowels to try and retain some semblance of proper phonation. If you are trying to find a good Wotan interpreter who sounds like Frantz try the New Zealander Donald McIntyre. There are audio and video recordings of him on KZbin.

[@johnmilius3031]

Try James Morris as Wotan. Niagara Falls.

[@lionelalberts2650]

David was one of the best Wotans also, and yes far greater than Hotter.

[@道-p2e]

100% . He is the finest and ultimate Wotan, no doubt!

[@elainebmack]

To me, this is one of the most moving scenes in all of Wagner's operas. This is my first time hearing George London sing Wagner. Sublime!

[@jeanmarieballestra7892]

Magnifique Wotan ! Musique sublime !! Une des scènes les plus émouvantes du "Ring " !!! On ne s'en lasse pas !!

[@pepeelsordo]

After London, singing Wotan, I don't know how anybody has the guts to sing it. The rest are babies.

[@stefanufer608]

Terfel is massively overrated and wastes his modest talent on pop music

[@mk5244]

...we will never hear any voice like his again. Absolutely unique. RIP

[@ritahunterlafavorita]

What a voice. He gives me chills of musical and vocal delight! Thank you so much for this upload!

[@aquariandude3195]

The BEST Wotan ! Awesome orchestra !

[@finylvinyl66]

Forget Bryn Terfel. THIS is a Wotan voice.

[@marvin-gauger-schmidt_tenor]

!!! :-)

[@monsieurboks]

Bryn might as well be a tenor next to London

[@AlexanderArsov]

I can't forget Bryn Terfel. I never could remember him in the first place, especially as Wotan.

[@道-p2e]

Absolutely so, it is not a close call... This man is the true master class!! Enough of today's fake stuff.

[@nickcowie]

Not even fair to compare them to be honest, you can't compare a god to a mortal.

[@bidiellodipellami]

I think his voice is really emotional. No singer today has this mix of wonderful voice and richness of espression...

[@ayseak9715]

Words are inadequate to describe that magnificence.

[@MrGer2295]

LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE ! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH US 💖🎶💖🎶💖

[@PetteriFalck]

This is incredible... I'm a Barytone myself and sang the flying Dutchman and hope to sing this, too... London and Jerome Hines are my absolute favourites. Just fantastic singing. Unfortunately we do hear this kind of singing seldom nowadays.

[@marcelopasqualette5240]

This really sounds like a god singing

[@roberthalf1094]

He directed the Ring in Seattle when my wife was a Rhinemaiden. He had lost his voice when a doctor injected something into the chords intending for a benefit which turned into a tragedy. What an incredible experience it was to hear him sing before that error.

[@marksmith3947]

His voice had already deteriorated due to vocal paresis. I believe when this was recorded he already had received the diagnosis. I don't like the singing. To me it sounds forced and unpleasant. Perhaps that's because he was already struggling against the paralysis ( one can sing with one vocal cord paralyzed)

[@jasonhurd4379]

8:18: 'So küsst er die Gottheit von dir'. My favorite moment in a whole bushel of beautiful moments. Many of my favorite Ring moments involve Wotan: his hymn of praise to Valhalla ('Vollendet das ewige Werk!') from Rheingold, his longing for death ('Das Ende! Das Ende!') and the Abschied from Walküre, his ultimate defeat ('Zieh' hin! Ich kann dich nicht halten!') from Siegfried, and his final, unseen appearance in Waltraute's narration ('...erlöst wär' Gott und Welt!') from Götterdämmerung. What a magnificent musico-dramatic creation he is.

[@roberthalf1094]

And listen to that orchestra! AMAzing!!!!!

[@ClaudiaLopez-vt5jz]

One of the Best !!! And Hans Hotter!! BOTH !!!

[@talvela100]

wow! Magnificent voice

[@fjvasquez1]

What an experience would it have been to have heard this live!!! I was born a generation later..... Don't get me wrong, I appreciate our current Wotans and the interpretations and quality they give. Maestro London, and Maestro Leinsdorf got it right. It was a different time and era. "Leb wohl", and "Der augen leuchtendes paar", and "Denn so kehrt der Gott sich dir ab, so küsst er die Gottheit von dir!" Forget it..... TEARS for DAYS!!!!

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

The only decent current Wotan is Michael Volle.

[@janeenv]

The greatest and most tragic of all Wotans George London is. (nod to Yoda given Luke and Leia and Siegmund and Sieglinde... although to his credit Luke stopped when he found out Leia was his twin sister). This has to be one of the greatest recordings (if not the greatest) ever made of Leb Wohl at the end of "Die Walkyrie" and without a doubt the greatest of all Wotans. There has never been a voice of Wotan able to cut through 100+ instruments like this Wotan. His voice Pierces and cuts through that massive Wagnerian Orchestra like the fabled sword Notung itself. It's a crime that so few people have ever heard of him and a tragedy that his voice was lost from a paralyzed vocal cord via treatments from the Dark Ages. But at least we have this recording!

[@boycebryan]

Bow before Wotan. Holy saints could he sing!

[@FaulknerRushdie]

This is truly awesome, and captured in such vivid sound, too! Thank you!

[@dickdrewes4084]

Music's greatest moment....................

[@paulknight9413]

I have just wept through all of this. What a voice

[@jmballestra7607]

Un Wotan prodigieux dans une des plus belles scènes de Wagner , et sans doute de tous les opéras !!!!

[@1sumiresan2]

Lieber George, warum musstest Du so früh von uns gehen? Deine wunderbare Stimme, die deutliche Aussprache, jedes Wort konnte man verstehen. Die tolle Darstellung. Und zu all dem warst Du ein großartiger Mensch

[@56LEBON1]

Da brividi..Grande Leinsdorf,grande London! Bisognava clonarli!

[@robertchoward]

This is my favorite because of the great union of George London and the orchestra which I believe is conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch.

[@roideschats8799]

il y a une autre version chantée par London... avec Knappertsbusch et l'orchestre de Vienne.

[@aquariandude3195]

The best ever ! Such power in his voice !

[@solideo726]

The Best Wotan~~~~~!!!!

[@gustavosolis1919]

Da gusto escuchar este bello ensamble de orquesta y voz varonil bella y potente. De los mejores Wotan a mi parecer,lástima q no hay vídeo.

[@aliena2979]

"Lástima que no HAYA" vídeo. No sé por qué os habéis empeñado en no usar el subjuntivo, tiempo verbal riquísimo en matices.

[@gomongio]

Text: "Leb wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind! Du meines Herzens heiligster Stolz! Leb wohl! Leb wohl! Leb wohl! Muß ich dich meiden, und darf nicht minnig mein Gruß dich mehr grüßen; sollst du nun nicht mehr neben mir reiten, noch Met beim Mahl mir reichen; muß ich verlieren dich, die ich liebe, du lachende Lust meines Auges: ein bräutliches Feuer soll dir nun brennen, wie nie einer Braut es gebrannt! Flammende Glut umglühe den Fels; mit zehrenden Schrecken scheuch es den Zagen; der Feige fliehe Brünnhildes Fels! Denn einer nur freie die Braut, der freier als ich, der Gott! Der Augen leuchtendes Paar, das oft ich lächelnd gekost, wenn Kampfeslust ein Kuß dir lohnte, wenn kindisch lallend der helden Lob von holden Lippen dir floß dieser Augen strahlendes Paar, das oft im Sturm mir geglänzt, wenn Hoffnungsehnen das Herz mir sengte, nach Weltenwonne mein Wunsch verlangte aus wild webendem Bangen: zum letzten Mal letz' es mich heut mit des Lebewohles letztem Kuß! Dem glücklichem Manne glänzte sein Stern: dem unseligen Ew'gen muß es scheidend sich schließen. Denn so kehrt der Gott sich dir ab, so küßt er die Gottheit von dir! Loge, hör! Lausche hieher! Wie zuerst ich dich fand, als feurige Glut, wie dann einst du mir schwandest, als schweifende Lohe; wie ich dich band, bann ich dich heut! Herauf, wabernde Lohe! Umlodre mir feurig den Fels! Loge! Loge! Hieher! Wer meines Speeres Spitze fürchtet, durchschreite das Feuer nie!"

[@1sumiresan2]

Danke für das Video! Ich habe George persönlich gut gekannt. Er war ein wunderbarer Sänger und ein lebenswerter Mensch! Leider ist er viel zu früh verstorben.!!! Er war auch ein ein großartiger Boris und ein wunderbarer Don Giovanni, ein so glaubhafter Mandrika und, und, und. Er hat leider auch keinen wirklichen Nachfolger !!!

[@stevendaniel5649]

His Dutchman is also the finest ever recorded.

[@quequitoAR]

Oh yes... He conveys the Dutchman's tortured soul

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

Yes, unmatched in that role.

[@RossM3838]

Wow

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

Loved it. I love a bass voice for Wotan.

[@neilmurphy7554]

Suddenly this performance is overshadowing every other of my favourites. Its perfect in every way and I'm going to investigate other recordings of Leinsdorf conducting Wagner. There is a tremendous tension and momentum with tenderness in the detail.

[@neilmurphy7554]

George London.... superb just superb!!

[@1sumiresan2]

Nicht zu vergessen "Scarpia ", Gott sei Dank gibt es viel von ihm in You Tube

[@06ctenor]

Wotan pour l'éternité....

[@noeldunsky]

Wotan reste dans nos coeurs par les interpretations de George London...🤓

[@baritonliebe]

Für mich der beste Wotan, welch ein wunderbarer Heldenbariton- unvergeßlich !! So muß Richard Wagner sich die stimmliche Interpretation wohl vorgestellt haben.

[@louisalexanderwaldman5407]

Wahrheit!

[@reischerinternational-forw7576]

Seine Karriere hat in Wien begonnen. War jahrelang Mitglied der Wr. Staatsoper. War seine schönste Zeit lt. Aussage seiner Gattin. Er bleibt unvergessen!

[@dancingshiva7008]

What power... What a thunderous voice... I only wish it could have been a little bit more tender in this recording. It's still wonderful to hear.

[@GabrielMoreraMorera]

¡Cuánta belleza y magnificencia en esta ejecución! Uno de los grandes momentos del arte.

[@gustavosolis1919]

Tu tambn bruto hijo mío!!! diría don Ramón jaja fue una bestia este crack!!!

[@alexandrkolesnikov9062]

American basses and bass-baritons are great:Hines, London Estes. Bravo!

[@kymanthony4319]

Not to be picky, but London was Canadian. Just like his great Heldontenor counterpart-J Vickers. They both had tremendous respect for each other.

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

@@kymanthony4319 Born in Canada born to naturalized U. S citizen parents, but grew up in Los Angeles, and was apparently "registered at birth as a US citizen".

[@aliena2979]

@@NYCOPERAFAN Born to Russian parents, my friend. Don't be so chauvinist.

[@cptndob]

London, Hotter, Ridderbusch (when he felt like singing) Great. Such emotion pours from this dramatic sound from London. And his conductor here is wonderful; he waits for the emotion and where is there a more emotional moment in Wagner?

[@robertwbecker]

a Hero of mine,,,, AWESOME!

[@SuperPoleon]

Superb SINGER

[@jimmychoo1857]

Hines and London Best Wotans, I've heard!

[@AlexanderArsov]

Magnificent performance indeed, far superior to Hotter's barking. My favourite Wotan is Thomas Stewart, a smaller voice but more sensitive interpretation. I'd love to have London handy on the shelves, though.

[@teresamogollon9242]

¡Qué voz sideral,cósmica,estratosférica!!Y sí:digna de Wagner.

[@gerardmignon700]

La plus belle voix de basse baryton de l'histoire lyrique.

[@garfreed]

Bone chilling. Gorgeous!!

[@elainebmack]

It does make you wonder such a vocal gift that George London possessed was taken away, almost like a punishment.

[@kingmark5557]

The ultimate Wotan.

[@paulmackay6529]

What about Hotter?

[@derek2365]

@Barone Vitellio Scarpia OH GOD this little bitch is everywhere bullshitting about Hans Hotter, fuck you bitch, hiding behind the keyboard and acting like an expert huh??????

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

@Barone Vitellio Scarpia Sotin was a marvelous (and underrated) bass - particularly in such roles as Landgraf, Gurnemanz etc. - but far too low a voice for Wotan, a quintessentially bass-baritone role.

[@michsturge671]

This is still my favorite recording of this opera.....I wish Leinsdorf was chosen to conduct the "Solti" Ring.

[@cptndob]

Of course Leinsdorf conducting. No wonder...

[@juanfilgueiraramos7321]

Quizás uno de los mejores wotan del panorama operístico wagneriano insuperable sensibilidad hacia su hija preferida brunolfa

[@mariamanuelasantosgodinho2980]

I am Bryn Terfel's fan....but George London...is Superb! Then....comes Terfel, who is also magnificent!

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

There are many many others below London's level but way above Terfel's.

[@arbiterveritatis1063]

What a magnificent rich voice he had! And with clear diction to boot. But Hotter is still the king.

[@berdiddyberdisberbaboint2763]

No he's not.

[@quequitoAR]

No, he's not.

[@sedgieroobets]

Both wonderful. So different!

[@道-p2e]

cannot agree,

[@suzannasimonka6078]

L'unique Wotan pour toujours!!!!!

[@ezio892]

GREAT !

[@BaroneVitellioScarpia1]

The best ever.

[@voltape]

13:45 Wer meines Speeres Spitze fürchtet durchschreite das Feuer nie!

[@aquariandude3195]

The best!

[@janeenv]

6 inch chillbumps. No kidding.

[@misterbusy]

Holy sh*t. This is magnificent.

[@1sumiresan2]

Hab ihn natürlich auch oft gehört!!!

[@AlainPrevost-v1x]

Probably the foremost Wotan I have ever heard...

[@neilmurphy7554]

As for London.... he's superb!!!

[@TheVaughan5]

Such a tragedy that Decca didn't use London instead of Hotter, who was past his prime, in their famous recording of "Die Walkure" with the VPO cond Georg Solti. However, I understand that he suffered vocal problems around the time of this recording so maybe he was scheduled to record but had to cancel.

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

Hotter had already recorded the Siegfried with Solti over three years earlier so he was probably intended for the Walkure as well. London does however star in the Solti Rheingold recorded in 1958.

[@aliena2979]

@@NYCOPERAFAN No. Hotter was intented to sing the "Wanderer" from the very beginning but London was to sing "Die Walküre".

[@gournmetdeldeseo]

Insuperable Leinsdorf y George London .......Todo está Aquí Wotan a su predilecta hija Brunilda y el Fuego como Arco Purificador: ".......Adíos, osada esplendida niña......" Insuperable Amor a la Vida Nada lo Supera .......ni mi penúltimo pollazo a una dulce mujer

[@walpolenut5351]

Sublime

[@trueself1752]

The voice.

[@Opernregisseur]

Ja, das ist unglaublich dirigiert.....!!

[@planmet]

Rather a fast version but I think I like it like that.

[@MatheusHenrique-nu1kb]

Magnifique wotan

[@1sumiresan2]

Da ist schon was wahres dran, aber ich mag ihn trotzdem:-)

[@JWP452]

Another miracle from the famous Leinsdorf Walkure recording!

Miraculous!

[@bokewilhelm1452]

habe ich leider auf der bühne nicht erlebt

[@richardgreen3910]

Why don't videos state the place and time as much as they used to

[@pepeelsordo]

And after London in Wagner's roles, nobody!!!For now

[@師太滅絕]

I always ask, is George London or Hans Hotter a better Wotan in those years.

[@r.s.401]

Bitte hört Euch das Alle an in Bayreuth, und nehmt was mit davon !!!!

[@cumhurgorgun]

Incredible! Wotan sings not London...

[@SuperPoleon]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Alan-co1hu]

Ah the ultimate Wotan !!