Wagner: Das Rheingold

The story

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.

Cast & crew

Herbert von KarajanSelf - Conductor

Thomas Stewart

Thomas StewartWotan

Vladimir de Kanel

Vladimir de KanelDonner (actor)

Leif Roar

Leif RoarDonner (singer)

Hermann Esser

Hermann EsserFroh

Peter SchreierLoge

Zoltán Kelemen

Zoltán KelemenAlberich

Gerhard Stolze

Gerhard StolzeMime

Gerd Nienstedt

Gerd NienstedtFasolt (actor)

Karl Ridderbusch

Karl RidderbuschFasolt (singer)

Louis Hendrikx

Louis HendrikxFafner

Brigitte Fassbaender

Brigitte FassbaenderFricka