Dresden-born bass René Pape was recently honoured as a “Met Mastersinger”, a distinction shared only by Renée Fleming. Pape’s perfect diction, bel canto beauty of tone, and psychological penetration make him one of our day’s most capable − and celebrated – Wagnerians.
Assembled for this all-Wagner project, a matter of the heart to René Pape, is a prestigious team. Daniel Barenboim, renowned for the sensuality of his Wagner, conducts the Staatskapelle Berlin, the maestro’s long-time collaborators.
Excerpts from such Pape signature roles as Gurnemanz and the Rheingold Wotan are complemented by a terrific teaser of a part Pape has yet to reveal on stage − his eagerly anticipated Hans Sachs, the noble cobbler of Die Meistersinger.
In addition to scenes from Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, and Die Walküre, a special treat features tenor Plácido Domingo with Pape in a scene from Parsifal.
“he is unquestionably magnificent. This is very lyrical Wagner singing, sensual, even sexual in tone, noble in utterance, and shaped as much through the line as off the words...The Fliedermonolog, sounding unusually erotic...[is] one of the disc's high points...There's wonderful playing, too, from the Berlin Staatskapelle under Daniel Barenboim.” The Guardian, 5th May 2011 ****
“he gives his Farewell, from Die Walküre, quite gloriously, his high lyric bass sounding effortless and beautiful even in the most high-lying passages. Above all, he sings his native German with astonishing clarity and eloquence...yet maintains a perfect Italianate legato...In the Parsifal extracts, Placido Domingo, no less, makes his brief contributions with a still remarkable voice...Golden-age Wagner singing.” Sunday Times, 15th May 2011 *****
“he remains more than capable of the spellbinding legato that Wolfram's Hymn to the Evening Star requires...purely musical values are of rare distinction. The Parsifal scene in particular benefits from Barenboim's characteristic blend of spontaneity and deliberation, while Placido Domingo easily matches Pape in his eloquent ardour...when it comes to sheer vocal refinement and the purest Wagnerian gravitas, René Pape is hard to beat.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2011
“His approach is very much that of a Lieder singer: the text could be taken verbatim from his immaculate diction...His liquidity of tone is balm in higher-lying passages, most notably those of Sachs...Teutonic bass-barking is nowhere to be heard...Barenboim deserves equal praise for some of the most sensitive Wagner conducting heard in a long time...this remains Wagner singing of a rare beauty that will give much pleasure” International Record Review, July 2011
Gramophone Awards 2012
Gramophone Magazine