Das Rheingold

I'll keep this brief. Wagner's epic opera quadrilogy doesn't need any more praise.

This version is beautifully filmed. Multiple cameras were used to capture wide angles as well as closer views of the characters. We can see the whole stage and the facial expressions of the singers involved. You can't get this experience in the opera house.

The use of fog and light is quite efficient here and sets the mood well. This compensates for the otherwise rather simple stage decoration.

The orchestra delivers a nuanced, detailed sound instead of a typical wagnerian wall of sound that is too often associated with his music. I enjoyed this. It is a nice testament to Barenboim's conducting.

My only criticism concerns the quality of the DVD's picture and sound. It isn't bad per se. But you can clearly see and hear that Das Rheingold was filmed during the 1990s. Had it been filmed today in High Definition and in surround sound, the experience would have been even more immersive. But this is just a minor flaw. With a good sound system the opera is still an acoustic feast.