Wagner ~ The Flying Dutchman DVD & CD recommendations

[Que]

BTW, it just occurred to me that you and me are the only two posters here known by just a letter, and these letters are M and Q...I guess people will suspect some kind of conspiracy is going on here. That also makes me your boss, technically.

[Siedler]

Actually, there's one DVD more, from Turku this time. I can't tell if it's good or not but it was staged on the banks of a river with two real ships.
http://www.flyingdutchman.fi/eng_index.php

[mc ukrneal]

So I was looking at possibly acquiring this opera. I see a set by Nelsson that is cheaper than the others. At the time of the original posts, it appears that this version was about to be (re-) released. Would this be a first choice over Sinopoli? Based on the snippets, it seems better overall (althought the noises of the live performance occassionally intrude). I am looking for good sound, which eliminates some older versions (good though they may be - I've played that game and prefer a better version for a first buy).

[Sergeant Rock]

So I was looking at possibly acquiring this opera. I see a set by Nelsson that is cheaper than the others. At the time of the original posts, it appears that this version was about to be (re-) released. Would this be a first choice over Sinopoli? Based on the snippets, it seems better overall (althought the noises of the live performance occassionally intrude). I am looking for good sound, which eliminates some older versions (good though they may be - I've played that game and prefer a better version for a first buy).

Both Klemperer (my first choice) and Steinberg on Naxos sound good (no worries there) and are inexpensive. Steinberg is swifter than Klemp, giving us an almost Italianate reading which, considering the works time period is apt and would probably have pleased Wagner. It was one of Naxos early successes, garnering good reviews.

Sarge

[knight66]

I agree with Sarge re the Naxos discs, excellent. There are several very good historical live recordings, but you want modern sound. Bohm I would avoid because of Jones in wobbly form as Senta. The Karajan is in fairly spectacular sound, but I don't think Van Dam literally sounds big enough to project the vocal line. The Senta there is about as squally as the weather.

Mike