Halfvarson sings Hagen: Hagens Ruf

[@Buttneckification]

This is one of my favorite musical scenes in all of opera. Certainly my favorite chorus moment. Halfvarson is a great Hagen, diction notwithstanding. The real shame here is, like with so much staging of Wagner, the costumes, particularly Bruennhilde's dress toward the end...it reminds me of the Carol Burnett spoof of Gone With The Wind, where she makes the dress out of the curtains, but forgets to remove the curtain rod. Oh well, I just have to close my eyes and enjoy the music...:(

[@Alpha_BKE]

I had the same reaction to the costumes. But musically, it was great

[@charlesmccaffrey6654]

I am not an opera singer, not even close, so I don't have the experience or sophistication that other folks have. That said-- I liked the costumes. I thought they helped create an on-stage reality that people could connect with better than traditional costumes would have allowed. I am nowhere near knowledgeable enough to judge Eric Halfvarson's singing, but, again, I liked it. Can someone please explain the problems that you perceive in his singing? Thanks.

[@moiraclegg3380]

@@charlesmccaffrey6654 When people complain about 'diction', I think they are saying the words are not so clearly enunciated as they might be, but I agree with you that this sounds great to me! I didn't hear a diction problem.

[@massiveqdawg]

Eric spoke fluent German and still lives in Germany. His German diction has always been impeccable. Those who criticize diction have never tried to sing and pronounce words WHILE trying to do so on sustained pitches. Spoken diction and singing diction are NOT the same!

[@lichtalberich]

He sounds great and he's chewin' up the stage! What more can you ask? Halfvarson rules!

[@1rivia]

Powerfull!!!!!

[@selash2]

Yes I do like the edge on the voice. And do understand the differences in voices. This is again taste. The edge in this setting is dramatic and effective. To say "very bad" is flipant. Are you a Professional opera singer, singing leading roles? Can I see your recordings? I rebell against those that have no real knowledge of what it takes to sing at this level and are so quick to criticize.

[@selash2]

I can agree that there are other "recordings", and each has there character, but to say "very bad"? Qualify why it is very bad? Sometimes it is our personal taste in the sound we like. I rebel against the notion of very bad! Where have you sung?

[@cinziavidali411]

The costumes are ok. I like the singer and the choir

[@susanowensbydaguzan4814]

Yes, it was the Bayreuth Levine Ring, and how dare anyone say anything but that he is fab.

[@Altonahh10]

Levine was a musical genius with the broadest repertoire of any opera conductor.

[@PerErikSkramstad]

Rosalie/Kirchner/Levine Ring at Bayreuth 1997

[@dchiapello]

@clarksc1988 Yeah, he does sharp a lot.

[@jamesmorris1657]

Oh her costume is funny.

[@howebridge]

The chorus is superb - where is this?

[@dabedwards]

Great performance but why is Brunnhilde wearing a couple of deck chairs? Why has Gunther got a concertina on his shoulder? I think we should be told!

[@Loismustdie26]

Which production is this? I'm digging on it.

[@dcmonitoresdomultiverso6572]

Bayreuth: Levine, Kirschiner e Rosalie. 1994 - 1998.

[@ChromDinett]

wow! great! where was that???

[@susanowensbydaguzan4814]

Bayreuth, I think. Levine. 90ish

[@ransomcoates546]

Voice is not dark enough and thins at the top. (You’d think Bayreuth would try to replace those horns American troops filched.)

[@EnricoDandolo1204]

His voice is amazing, but his diction is really ... um ... particular.

[@moiraclegg3380]

I love Gottlob Frick in this role, but cannot watch Gottlob Frick too much or I will wear out the surprise and beauty of it. This is my second favorite. I think he is terrific and love the staging, until Brunnhilde/Carol Burnett appears.

[@moiraclegg3380]

Zu

[@moiraclegg3380]

My reply was an accidental ‚fat finger‘ - sorry!

[@jimwigler]

Yeah! The costumes completely suck, especially Brunhilde's.

[@moiraclegg3380]

I think Hagen's costume is fine, and his gestures and the staging! (Forget Brunnhilde, this is not her bit really.) If you want to see this scene, as opposed to just hearing it, this works for me. (Love Gottlob Frick above all other Hagens, but don't want to wear out the surprise and shock of that with too many repetitions.)

[@partituravid]

Many hated Rosalie.