WAGNER: “DER FLIEGENDE HOLLAENDER.” Lisbeth Balslev, Simon...

WAGNER: “DER FLIEGENDE HOLLAENDER.” Lisbeth Balslev, Simon Estes, Matti Salminen, Robert Schunk; Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival conducted by Woldemar Nelsson. Philips 416 300-2 (two compact discs). Harry Kupfer’s controversial, celebrated 1978 production has taken far too long to reach disc; taped in Bayreuth in 1985, the performance grips from the first note of the overture to Senta’s redemptive, suicidal leap. The Bayreuth ambiance includes much stage noise, a small price to pay for the Festspielhaus’ famed sonic wonders and for contributions by artists who have matured into their roles. Estes conveys the Dutchman’s anguish in a sometimes unfocused voice that, barring his peculiar German, spells utter conviction. Balslev’s charismatically obsessed Senta lacks ideal purity, but she hurls herself fearlessly into the Ballad and ignites the long Act Two duet. Salminen’s basso avoids caricaturing Daland, while Schunk’s ardent tenor contributes a model Erik. Nelsson paces the opera, in its one-act version, with rugged directness. The sound is warm and vivid, but Philips’ producer deserves to sail the seven seas without reprieve for splitting the Ballad between discs. CDs were supposed to avoid that sort of thing.