Not carried away but laying down the gauntlet! Nico Castel (see Wikipedia) gave me a cassette of this and of several other operatic 'outtakes' back in the 80s and he told me this particular one was Melchior's response to a critic who had compared his stamina unfavorably to another, presumably younger Helden tenor. I'm sure someone out there will know who - I have forgotten the name and the cassette is long lost. Wonderful to find so many of Nico's fabulous collection re-issued!

He is singing as the son of the king of the Gods, he can't get too carried away! He makes him sound like a part-divine voice should.

the pitch of this recording is down a semitone and doesn't sound like it's the wrong speed. I wonder how where the transposition started and ended- do you have the whole recording?

a 14 second Walse! only Melchior could pull it off!!

@klavierspieler72 What brains! What musicianship! Ha ha ha ...

@VivaMariaCallas Answer: a musician.

I will prefer to give my opinion on the endless "legato and fiato" Melchior has!!!! All the rest is of no value. Thanks for posting such great performance!!!

@wotansschwert Wotan was not known for having a Schwert, (sword). He carried a spear.