Albert Dohmen (Wotan); Endrik Wottrich (Siegmund); Eva-Maria Westbroek (Sieglinde); Linda Watson (Brünnhilde); Stephen Gould (Siegfried)

‘This set is essential’ concluded Gramophone of the Ring cycle from the home of Wagner performance, the Bayreuth Festival, when this 2008 production was issued complete. Among the most distinguished Wagner conductors of our age, Christian Thielemann leads a performance of masterful pacing and burning conviction that features richly detailed interpretations from many of today’s most experienced interpreters of their complex and glorious roles. Now distilled on to two discs, here is The Ring in a nutshell.