In an age of tarnished heroic ideals, the characterisation of Siegfried remains one of the toughest challenges facing both singer and director of a Ring cycle. To what extent should the character represent the fearless but emotionally immature dragon-slayer and to what extent the young man of nobility and charm as Wagner himself described him?
Andreas Schager, taking the role for Barrie Kosky in Covent Garden’s new production, is in such strong voice – happily after a series of below-par performances elsewhere – that almost inevitably he gravitates towards the heroic end of the spectrum. His voice has a thrilling ring and while it does full justice to Siegfried’s testosterone-fuelled declamation – even if you have to suspend disbelief to accept his air-punching antics as a hormonal adolescent – it’s decidedly short on tenderness and empathy.
