George London - why Solti changed his Woltan?

George London.

Was the onset of his illness in 1961 the reason why Solti changed his Woltan to Hotter (Ring Decca)? He continues to sing as Amfortas in 1962 Bayreuther - impressive nonetheless. What's your favorite Wagner performance of his ?

I do not know the reason but it was Mr London who turned down his engagement with Mr Solti. In 1962 he sang a very successful Woltan in Prague.

Kind regards, Alan M. Watkins

Of course, he also did the Walkure Wotan for Leinsdorf/RCA a bit earlier.

I have this Walkuere with Brouwenstijn, Nilsson, London/Leinsdorf, recorded September 1961, in DECCA's 'Compact Opera Series'. Was it originally recorded by RCA?

I always thought and believed that it was because they wanted an 'older' sound for the Walkure and Siegfried Wotans. As good as Hotter is, it's to our great loss that London didn't do those roles.

IIRC, it was recorded by a Decca team for RCA.

David Lobdell Simple Country Pathologist

The first issued recording in Decca/London's _Ring_ project was _Das Rheingold_ with George London in the role of Wotan. Decca went on to record _Siegfried_ and _Götterdämmerung_, recording _Die Walküre_ last. Not long after the _Rheingold_ was issued on Decca/London, the Leinsdorf recording, made by Decca, was issued by RCA-Victor in the USA in a luxurious Soria package. (I still have this one.) At this time (1961), RCA and Decca were collaborating on many projects, and a number of recordings made by Decca were issued by RCA in the USA. After this arrangement came to an end, the RCA issues were deleted and, somewhat long thereafter, reappeared on Decca/London.

I suspect that, by the time Decca/London was ready to make its recording of _Die Walküre_, they actually wanted Hotter to record his most famous role despite the audible wear and tear on his voice.

Overall, I tend to prefer Leinsdorf's cast, but I also want to hear Hotter's interpretation despite the vocal difficulties. The last time I heard these recordings, I put both in a changer (Sony, with slots for 10 CDs) and heard Act 1 from the Leinsdorf recording, then the first half of Act 2 from the Solti, then the Siegmund/Sieglinde episode again from the Leinsdorf (I find Vickers superior to James King on all counts), including the Todesverkündigung scene with Nilsson, who is heard in both sets. After which, I concluded Act 2 once again with Hotter. And then I heard Act 3 from the Solti.

Thanks for your explanations! I too prefer Leinsdorf's cast partially over Solti's, above all Vickers and Brouwenstijn. (But I haven't worked out a scheme where to change. Well, not yet .)

A couple of guesses. Hotter was much more closely identified with Wotan, and I would imagine that the folks at Decca thought that his presence would sell more copies of the recording.

As I recall, by 1965, when the WALKUERE was recorded, London's career was essentially finished, due to his vocal cord paralysis.

Yes, but the vocal deterioration since 1951 is pretty alarming.

The live Dutchman with Rysanek, from Bayreuth in 1959, Sawallisch conducting.

Not one person has mentioned his health. So when did he start to decline offers due to his failing health? Internet search reveals 1961.

ITs a commanding performance never the less. His long act I monologues are sublime.

The stereo Kna Parsifal on Philips.