Not terribly original I'm afraid but I would have to go for the classic Solti cycle for the IMHO incomparable Hans Hotter (except for Das Rheingold, where Wotan was sung by George London who was never really in the same league).

Some prefer Hotter's 1950s live Bayreuth recordings under Krauss and Keilberth, made when he was ten years younger and before his voice went 'wobbly'. However I would still have to give the nod to the Solti cycle for the additional maturity in Hotter's reading, as well as the outstanding quality of the rest of the cast and the really excellent SQ of the latest remastered version.

For a more recent recording try out Haitink on EMI with your man Morris.

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Not terribly original I'm afraid but I would have to go for the classic Solti cycle for the IMHO incomparable Hans Hotter (except for Das Rheingold, where Wotan was sung by George London who was never really in the same league).

Some prefer Hotter's 1950s live Bayreuth recordings under Krauss and Keilberth, made when he was ten years younger and before his voice went 'wobbly'. However I would still have to give the nod to the Solti cycle for the additional maturity in Hotter's reading, as well as the outstanding quality of the rest of the cast and the really excellent SQ of the latest remastered version.

For a more recent recording try out Haitink on EMI with your man Morris.

thanks. George London was once the man, for sure..but his style of singing caused his voice to blow out too early..he was balls to the wall, all the time. Hans was more finesse/grace, pleasant to listen to... London was all HUGE and POWERFUL! Rene Pape reminds me of Hotter a bit.

Struts..while I am at it..

please get this if you can. CLassic.

http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Ring-DVD-Vi...1402&sr=8-1

Another thanks, ncdrawl, I'd never seen that. Now ordered.

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Another thanks, ncdrawl, I'd never seen that. Now ordered.

you should enjoy it! I watch it all the time. what a massive undertaking...recording all that on reel to reel machines, with their time limits, etc..and mixing in real time.. yikes.

For a bad-ass Wotan, you need Hans Hotter. I'm one of those people who say you need his wrok from the 50s. The Krauss '53 and Keilberth '55 Rings are the way to go. (Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of the Solti Ring, so that may color my choice.)

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I'm afraid that the lamest Wotan might be in my favorite Ring, that would be Adam in Bohm's cycle. So my vote goes to Keilberth.