BARITONE Bryn Terfel made a triumphant and hugely popular return to the Wales Millennium Centre stage to celebrate the theatre’s 10th anniversary in this stirring performance of Act 3 of Richard Wagner’s Die Walkure.

In a stripped-down 70-minute version of the epic ring cycle, the orchestra was whipped into a frenzy by Welsh National Opera’s conductor Lothar Koenigs as the stirring notes of the Ride of the Valkyries rang out, heralding the singers’ entrance.

The vocal gymnastics of the eight Valkyries awaiting their sister Brunnhilde to arrive from battle are as immense as the depth of the orchestra’s playing is spectacular.

Although staged as a recitation, this is very much a performance and when Swedish soprano Irene Theorin as Brunnhilde hits the stage, the production lifts off.

She’s simply sublime as she tells her sisters how she has defied their father Wotan, leader of the gods, and has rescued the pregnant widow of the fallen warrior he has killed.

Cue the entry of the great Welsh bass baritone Bryn Terfel, a remarkable interpreter of Wagner. He furiously rounds on his errant daughter, berating Brunnhilde for her treachery and the interplay between the two is electric as she tries to save herself from his wrath.

Wotan is determined to punish his daughter and strip her of Valkyrie status and he condemns her to sleep until the next man who passes wakes her.

Terfel is magnificent as he stalks his favourite daughter across the stage. His anger and sorrow are apparent but Brunnhilde persuades him not to shame her and agrees that her sleep will be guarded by an enchanted fire that only the most brave warrior will endure.

Stirring stuff and the standing ovation for Terfel at the conclusion is testament to the love and awe he inspires in his home crowd.

A fitting performance to mark the centre’s 10 years of existence.

Review by David Nicholson