Press

Thielemann has enough experience, especially the quiet passages unfold the greatest effect. And incidentally, this approach also plays into the singers’ hands. Not all of them would have needed it on this opening night: the stunningly powerful-voiced Ricarda Merbeth as Senta, the Dutchman’s redemptive lover, certainly not. A pleasant surprise was Ricarda Merbeth’s performance in the highly dramatic sections. The naturalness with which she sang on a par with Bryn Terfel was impressive. Even in moments of highest emotion, the elegant, warmly timbrated voice remained without sharpness.