Sidhom's dark-leather tone and malevolent characterisation make an impressive Alberich, fellow Briton Kim Begley is a smooth, sardonic Loge, ideally lyrical in his narration...Van Zweden conducts with an easy sweep that would carry one along in the opera house...This knocks spots off rival budget versions...and many more expensive.

the Hong Kong Philharmonic sound fully up for the occasion and have the stamina for this demanding piece…Matthias Goerne sings Wotan beautifully with much baritonal sophistication, predictable care for words and able negotiation of trickier moments…Peter Sidhom enjoys himself greatly playing Alberich as an out-and-out 'baddie'…[the scene in Nibelheim] feels as if David Cangelosi's Mime, both funny and moving with any kind of braying excess, has acted as a catalyst to turn the occasion into a more full-on dramatic performance

Matthias Goerne’s Wotan offers lyric richness and grandeur, as well as a keen comprehension and articulation of the text down to the tiniest detail. He is superbly matched by the masterly Alberich of Peter Sidhom, who combines a suitably outlandish range of colour with a wonderfully imaginative use of words. David Cangelosi is a striking Mime, Charles Reid a lithe, vocally bold Froh. Altogether, a hugely positive start to what promises to be an exceptional Ring recording.

The orchestral textures have a spaciousness and transparency, and an unforced sense of architectural shaping and dramatic flow...But the real surprise here is Matthias Goerne’s performance as Wotan. His handling of the text is as exemplary as anyone would expect from such a seasoned lieder singer, but it’s the power and gravitas that Goerne brings to the role that are so startling.