Staatsoper Berlin 2023-24 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

https://operawire.com/staatsoper-berlin-2023-24-review-der-ring-des-nibelungen/

The current “Der Ring des Nibelungen” at Staatsoper Berlin came into being in October 2022 directed by Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov and due to be conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Sadly, though, Maestro Barenboim, had to pull out of the production because of severe health issues, a great blow to all, but so disappointing for Barenboim in his 80th year. {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Bayreuth Festival 2023 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

https://operawire.com/bayreuth-festival-2023-review-der-ring-des-nibelungen/

(Photo: © Enrico Nawrath) As the final cycle of Bayreuth’s 2023 “Ring des Nibelungen” came to a close, the air remained electric with the sounds of Wagner’s apocalyptic horns and the swirling raptures of the Rhine. Camps came away divided into those either outraged or captivated by director Valentin Schwarz‘s reinvention of the Walsung’s messy journey into oblivion. To be {…}

Interviews

Q & A: Pietari Inkinen on Conducting ‘The Ring Cycle’ at Bayreuth Festival

https://operawire.com/q-a-pietari-inkinen-on-conducting-the-ring-cycle-at-bayreuth-festival/

After waiting for three years to conduct the Ring Cycle at the Bayreuth Festival, Pietari Inkinen finally made it come true. Over the past month, the Finnish Conductor has been in Bayreuth performing the Ring Cycle in Valentin Schwarz’s production. It marks his return to the festival after his debut in 2021. It also marks his return to the Ring {…}

News

Deutsche Grammophon to Stream ‘Parsifal’

https://operawire.com/deutsche-grammophon-to-stream-parsifal/

Deutsche Grammophon has announced that it will continue as the global media partner with the Bayreuth Festival. In 2022, the label launched its ground-breaking classical music platform, STAGE+, which hosted the international premiere screenings of Valentin Schwarz’s thought-provoking new production of “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” The collaboration will open with Jay Scheib’s highly anticipated “Parsifal” from the Festspielhaus on STAGE+ one day after {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

Iréne Theorin, Clay Hilley & Katharina Kammerloher Lead New CD/DVD Releases

https://operawire.com/irene-theorin-clay-hilley-katharina-kammerloher-lead-new-cd-dvd-releases/

This week audiences are in for rarely performed works by unknown composers as well as a complete recording of Wagner’s final installment of the Ring Cycle. Here is a look: Nikolay Myaskovsky: Vocal Works, Volume Two: Complete Songs for Baritone and Piano Ilya Kuzmin and Dzambolat Dulaev perform the works of Nikolay Myaskovsky alongside pianist Olga Solovieva. The new album {…}

Special Features

Best of 2022: OperaWire’s Top 11 Singers of 2022

https://operawire.com/best-of-2022-operawires-top-11-singers-of-2022/

After a bumpy 2021, which still had numerous COVID cancelations, 2022 saw opera companies almost return to normalcy. There were setbacks like cyberattacks, a war that has destroyed a country, and companies losing funds from government agencies. But in all, it also showed how opera companies could unite through benefit concerts and through sheer artistry. And after releasing our favorite {…}

News

Germany’s Culture Minister Calls for Reform at Bayreuth Festival

https://operawire.com/germanys-culture-minister-calls-for-reform-at-bayreuth-festival/

The German Minister of State for Culture has called on the Bayreuth Festival to reform. Per BR Klassik, Claudia Roth, who holds the position, did not specify what she meant when she called for reform but did note that festival management had to “design the general conditions of the festival in such a way that artistic excellence can be achieved.” {…}

News

Irene Theorin Gives Middle Finger to Booing Audience at Bayreuth Festival

https://operawire.com/irene-theorin-gives-middle-finger-to-booing-audience-at-bayreuth-festival/

The final performance of “Götterdämmerung” at the Bayreuth Festival saw Irene Theorin stick up her middle finger to the audience after boos erupted during her final curtain call. According to reports, “first there were some boos for her and then pointing to people in the audience with a finger. She then raised her middle finger and the whole house booed {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Bayreuth Festival 2022 Review: Götterdämmerung

https://operawire.com/bayreuth-festival-2022-review-gotterdammerung/

(Credit: Enrico Nawrath) With “Götterdämmerung,” any chance of Valentin Schwarz giving an understandable meaning to his production went nowhere. For the first time in the tetralogy, Schwarz presented paranormal elements like the three Norns (represented as three faceless woman wearing sparkling costumes and makeup) or the transformation, thanks to the magic helmet, of Siegfried into Gunther for the last scene {…}

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Staatsoper Berlin 2023-24 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

Bayreuth Festival 2023 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

Q & A: Pietari Inkinen on Conducting ‘The Ring Cycle’ at Bayreuth Festival

Deutsche Grammophon to Stream ‘Parsifal’

Iréne Theorin, Clay Hilley & Katharina Kammerloher Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Best of 2022: OperaWire’s Top 11 Singers of 2022

Germany’s Culture Minister Calls for Reform at Bayreuth Festival

Irene Theorin Gives Middle Finger to Booing Audience at Bayreuth Festival

Bayreuth Festival 2022 Review: Götterdämmerung