Astrid Varnay singt Wagner

Astrid Varnay (1918– 2006) was born in Sweden of Hungarian heritage and raised in America. She went on to become one of the most sought-after dramatic sopranos of the 20th century and one of the best-known Wagnerian heroic sopranos of her generation. Her voice was often praised for its seemingly limitless upper register. On this generously filled 2CD set (each disc clocks in at more than 80 minutes) we get extensive excerpts from Tristan und Isolde (with the reigning Heldentenor of the time, Wolfgang Windgassen) scenes from three of the Ring operas, and the Wesendonck Lieder. All were much praised when they first appeared on LP in the 1950s and then again as part of Deutsche Grammophon’s ‘Original Masters’ tribute to this great singer.