A Quick Note On The 2006 Bayreuth Walküre

Before this morning, I'd never heard of Adrianne Pieczonka, much less who she might be. After this morning, I'll never forget. From the instant she sang her first several lines as Sieglinde in Act I of the new Bayreuther Festspiele Tankred Dorst production of Die Walküre, I knew we had a contender for the Sieglinde of the century. Possessing a true so-called jügendlich dramatic soprano — not a pumped-up lyric on steroids — the texture of her voice puts one in mind of nothing so much as sweetly-flowing warm honey, but with a power and intensity that, when required, can at the very same time suggest the steel of a Nilsson. And that's just the beginning. Her German diction and declamation are perfect, but more importantly, her voice has a capacity for exquisite musical and dramatic nuance that seems limitless, and in its realization, perfectly natural and effortless; in short, a genuine singer-actor who by her voice alone can make a role come rivetingly and persuasively alive. I feel lucky to have heard her today notwithstanding my well-known (by regular readers of this blog) and somewhat notorious disinterest in, even antipathy for, opera singers generally.

What's that I hear you saying? Probably another operatic fat lady whose physical presence destroys any illusion her voice may bring to a role?

Oh ye of little faith!

Ms. Pieczonka's website is located here.