FATHER AND SON
WAGNER SCENES AND ARIAS
This recording has been a dream of mine since my first Wagner role, Siegmund in Die Walküre at the Metropolitan Opera, in which I was the cover for the great Placido Domingo.
This album surveys Wagner’s mature career from Lohengrin in 1850 through to Parsifal in 1882. Lohengrin the son of Parzifal and Siegfried the son of Siegmund, along with their magnificent fathers, represent a huge vocal development for the tenor voice. These roles are essential to the path of a young heldentenor: from lyric moments to dramatic outbursts, Wagner offers the singer massive dramatic and vocal scope in developing the character and burnishing the instrument.
The heart of this CD is devoted to the two great tenors of the Ring, Siegmund and Siegfried. Being given the chance to sing this music has been the highlight of my career. I adore singing these roles, not only because of their own sublime music but the complete operas in which they take their part. The first act of Die Walküre is burned into my mind as the greatest act in opera. The death of Siegfried in Götterdämmerung moves me like no other event in opera. Surrounding the Ring are the Knights, Lohengrin and Parsifal. In the third act of Lohengrin one thing remains he must now disclose his identity to the king and Elsa. He tells the story of the Holy Grail In fernem Land. Contrasting this, Parsifal suddenly recoiled in pain and cries out Amfortas' name "Amfortas! Die Wunde! Die Wunde!" The album concludes with Parsifal’s breathtaking aria ‘Nur eine Waffe taugt’ – my personal favourite of this repertoire.
My personal vocal development underwent a major change when I met and commenced study with the distinguished Wagnerian baritone, Sir Donald McIntyre, a fellow New Zealander. I am so very grateful to him, Antonio Pappano and my Wagnerian team, Lionel Friend, Anthony Negus and David Syrus, for their guidance through these roles.
This recording has been made possible with huge support of my colleagues, Maestro Pietari Inkinen, Susan Bullock and Sir John Tomlinson, the magnificent New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Peter Walls and Melissa King, David Groves, the Wagner Society of New Zealand, the Auckland Opera Studio (Frances Wilson and John Peebles), NBR New Zealand Opera and the NBR New Zealand Opera Chapman Tripp Chorus. I wish to also thank my singing teachers, Emily Mair, Frances Wilson and Marlena Malas, Terence Dennis, my parents, Brian and Gaye and my lovely wife Carmel, for their unending encouragement and support. This album is dedicated to our gorgeous twins Grace and Tom.
It is a tremendous honour to sing these wonderful characters both on the opera and concert stage and now on this recording for you to enjoy.