WAGNER: Excerpts from “Tristan,” “Lohengrin,” “Die Walkure,”...

WAGNER: Excerpts from “Tristan,” “Lohengrin,” “Die Walkure,” “Siegfried”; “Faust Overture.” Alessandra Marc, soprano; Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz, cond. Delos DE 3120. Schwarz has done yeoman work in establishing a solid reputation for the Seattle Symphony. In this repertory, however, he is up against recorded competition of some of the world’s preeminent conductors and orchestras. Compared to the recent Chicago Symphony release of some of this music, the Seattle players cannot hope to match that ensemble’s virtuosity. Yet, in a more than honorable effort, Schwarz surpasses Daniel Barenboim in the breadth and scope of his conducting. Marc’s spectacular top tones can be impressive, but the weakness of her colorless middle and lower range makes her work in Isolde’s--and Brangane’s--music on this disc problematic.