(Photo Credit: Bernd Uhlig) After a disappointing “Die Walküre” and a terrible “Siegfried,” my hopes for a stimulating ending of Stefan Herheim’s production of Deutsche Oper Berlin’s “Ring” were near non-existent. Fortunately, life is full of surprises; what started as a provocative, irreverent take on Wagner’s tetralogy in a first-rate staging of “Das Rheingold” and deteriorated into tedious attempts at {…}
(Photo Credit: Bernd Uhlig) Deutsche Oper’s Ring Cycle started promisingly with an original staging of “Das Rheingold,” with provocative ideas, irreverence and even humor. However, unfortunately it continued with a constant rehashing of ideas, which proved inadequate for the gigantic enterprise that is Wagner’s “Ring.” After a vocally satisfactory but scenically uninspired “Die Walküre,” matters deteriorated considerably on May 29 {…}
(Photo Credit: Bernd Uhlig) I had high expectations for this production, following the previous evening‘s “Das Rheingold,” as director Stefan Herheim had plenty of ideas for “The Ring‘s” first installment. Sadly, his ideas could not sustain the dramatic textures of “Die Walküre,” as it is replete with long narrative dialogues and less action. Herheim’s tools, the traveling refugees, the suitcases {…}
(Photo Credit: Bernd Uhlig) Stefan Herheim’s take on “The Ring” promises to be an interesting one: original, irreverential and, most of all, not trying to shock for the sake of it. This is my impression based on “The Ring’s” first installment. The imagery and the cultural references are approachable and familiar to the average German operagoer: Loge, who dominates this {…}
(Photo by Bernd Uhlig) I’m back in Berlin, a city I favor and enjoy so much, ready for yet another Ring cycle at Deutsche Oper, a large, comfortable 1850-seat theatre boldly designed in the Modernist style and simply ideal for large-scale productions. And none comes much larger than those penned by Giacomo Meyerbeer, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner Therefore, with {…}
(Credit: Cory Weaver) Some people might be looking for a hero in these days of pandemic, especially locked down at home. Throughout the month of March, San Francisco Opera (SFO) is offering one such hero: the Virtual Ring Festival. You read that right: a “hero” in the form of a quest. It is the quest to retrieve a stolen golden {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced that General Music Director Donald Runnicles’ contract has been extended through 2027. Sir Runnicles, recently knighted in October, has served with Deutsche Oper since 2009, with his former contract being set to expire in 2022 after being renewed again in 2016. The company also announced the extension of contracts for Commercial Director Thomas Fehrle {…}
(Credit: Miklos Szabo) Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced that the Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter will replace John Lundgren in the role of Wotan in Wagner’s “Die Walküre” on Oct. 4, 2020. Per the opera house’s official statement, Lundgren will appear on stage, while Reuter will sing the role from the side of the stage. Reuter has performed the role of {…}
(Credits: Kristen Hoebermann / ©Neda Navaee / Ray Burmiston/Decca Classics/ Deutsche Oper Berlin official website / Annika Schlicht official website) In times of massive uncertainty and heightened risks, the Deutsche Oper Berlin is taking on the gargantuan effort of staging the second opera of the cycle, “Die Walküre,” directed by Stefan Herheim. Herheim’s production of the iconic Wagner’s opera is {…}
(Credit: Deutsche Oper Berlin official website) Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced that bass Andrew Harris will take over the role of Hunding in the upcoming performances of Wagner’s “Die Walküre,” replacing Tobias Kehrer. Harris has performed the roles of Don Basilio in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” Sparafucile in Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” Masetto in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” and Stefano Colonna in {…}
(Credit: Jonas Holthaus) “Nothing was produced for the bin.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hurricane hit the world in full force in March 2020, opera houses all over the world were struck badly. All of them were forced to cancel the rest of their 2019-20 seasons, and many new productions were taken off the stage. However, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the {…}