Thielemann triumphs in Bayreuth's 'Valkyrie'

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

BAYREUTH, Germany (AFP) — With German star conductor Christian Thielemann in the pit for the Bayreuth Festival's current "Ring" cycle, it doesn't matter that there's nothing much going on onstage: you can simply shut your eyes and enjoy.

Following a rather lacklustre "Rhinegold" on Monday evening, the 97th edition of the annual Bayreuth Festival continued Tuesday with "The Valkyrie", the second part of the four-parter, the "Ring".

And from a musical point of view, the evening was a triumph, above all for Thielemann, tacitly seen as the festival's secret GMD or general music director.

The storm that forms the prelude to Act I is no hurricane, even if it is taken at a fair gallop.

Indeed, the maestro is an alert and sensitive accompanist to the singers...