Q & A : Mezzo-Soprano Jamie Barton On The Challenges of ‘Der Ring Des Nibelungen’ & Verdi vs. Wagner

This interview was conducted in collaboration with Francisco Salazar. Everyone knows what Jamie Barton can do. And if you don’t… The mezzo-soprano has firmly established herself over the past few years as one of the finest singing actresses on the planet, stealing scenes and garnering show-stopping applause with her incredible instrument and dramatic interpretation. She’s pulled off some historic feats {…}

May 31, 2018

Opera Meets Film: Finding Similarities In The Marvel Cinematic Universe & Wagner’s Ring

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment will take a look {…}

May 9, 2018

Irene Theorin Replaces Evelyn Herlitzius In The Ring Cycle In San Francisco Opera

German soprano Evelyn Herlitzius, scheduled to make her San Francisco Opera debut as Brünnhilde in Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” has withdrawn from the upcoming engagement due to health reasons. In a personal statement from her home in Dresden, Evelyn Herlitzius wrote, “I regret very much that due to unforeseen health reasons, I am forced to withdraw from my Ring {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Artist Profile: Siegfried Jerusalem, Wagnerian Hero

Siegfried Jerusalem could not have been better named. The Oberhausen native, born on April 17, 1940, would grow up to be one of the great 20th century interpreters of his namesake in Wagner’s famed “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” The tenor actually studied piano, violin, and bassoon in his formative years and started his career as a bassoon player. Eventually, at {…}

Feb 15, 2018

Everything You Need to Know About the Met Opera’s 2018-19 Revival of Wagner’s Ring Cycle

Anytime the Metropolitan Opera puts on a new production of Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” you better believe that it is a major event. The tetralogy will reappear in 2018-19 for the first time since the 2013 season, and as might be expected, there aren’t very many opportunities to check it out. So here is a rundown of the essential {…}

Oct 21, 2017

Why Sir Georg Solti’s ‘Ring Cycle’ Recording Remains An Enduring Part of His Legacy

Conductor Georg Solti contributed a tremendous amount to the world of opera, leading some of the greatest singers at the greatest houses in the great works ever written. Born on Oct. 21, 1912, in Budapest, he built up a sturdy career in the opera world, working prominently at such companies as the Salzburg Festival and Hungarian State Opera in his {…}

Sep 4, 2017

The Wagner Roles That René Pape Has Dominated Throughout His Career

René Pape is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, living bass of his generation. He has performed with all the leading opera companies and has sung numerous leading roles. But there is a composer that he has become associated with, in particular, Wagner. In celebration of Pape’s birthday on Sept. 4, 1964, OperaWire looks at some of {…}

Aug 16, 2017

Opera Profile: Wagner’s ‘Siegfried’

Within Wagner’s famed tetralogy, the third installment, “Siegfried,” might be the least popular or well-known. But there is no doubt that it is as crucial as any and might actually be the one most important in establishing dramatic balance across the four works. Among its major dramatic tasks is establishing the “Ring Cycle’s” major hero and bridging the musico-dramatic gap {…}

Aug 4, 2017

Deborah Voigt’s Successes As a Wagnerian Soprano

Within the last quarter of the 20th century, there was perhaps no dramatic soprano as influential as Deborah Voigt. Born August 4th, 1960, the American soprano is most celebrated for her interpretations by Strauss and Wagner, and other German composers. Though Voigt’s repertoire ranges from bel canto to new American premieres, the “down to earth diva” had most of her {…}

Aug 1, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Ring Cycle Conductor Confirmed

Philippe Jordan is going to conduct the Met’s revival of Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” in 2019, the New York Times has revealed. Met General Manager Peter Gelb recently confirmed that the Robert Lepage production would return for its third revival in a playbill statement from the 2016-17 season. He promised that the machine, which debuted during the 2010-11 season, {…}

Jun 21, 2017

Kent Nagano To Perform Historically Accurate Performances of Wagner’s ‘Ring Cycle’ in 2020-21

Nowadays, performing Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” exactly as the composer intended is looked down upon. In fact, in today’s opera climate, historically accurate performances are far from the norm and somewhat of a lost, if not dead, art. But Kent Nagano doesn’t care and alongside the Concerto Köln, he is looking to exhume that past and give it new life. That {…}

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