Gutes Timing

Pinchas Steinberg on Naxos proves a warmly sympathetic Wagnerian. More than most rivals, he brings out the light and shade o this earliest of the regular Wagner canon, helped by the refined, well-balanced recording, and by brilliant, sharply dramatic playing from the orchestra. The chorus too sings with a bite and precision to match any rival. Alfred Muff as the Dutchman attacks the notes cleanly, with vibrato only occasionally intrusive. The vibrato of Ingrid Haubold is more of a problem but, except under pressure, it is well controlled, and she begins Senta’s Ballad with a meditative pianissimo.