(© Teatro alla Scala) A Wagnerian friend spoke of a dream where he is visited by the composer himself. Wagner tells him, “The entire Tetralogy is a stream of images, nothing more. I think back to that day by the Mediterranean when, in a dream, the melody of my Rhine-maidens that was to begin my entire Tetralogy came to me. {…}
The Atlanta Opera Film Studio has released three new cinematic opera films adapted from the company’s acclaimed stage productions of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Produced by The Atlanta Opera’s Carl W. Knobloch Jr. General and Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun and Film Studio Director Felipe Barral, the films transform the stage productions into full-length movie experiences designed for global streaming audiences. {…}
There’s been a lot of opera in 2024. And quite frankly, there’s been a lot of good opera. So as has become our tradition, here is a look at some of OperaWire’s editorial team’s picks for their personal favorite performances of 2024. Matt Costello: Act three of “Götterdämmerung” – Tanglewood It’s always a tricky thing to think about one’s “Performance {…}
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. {…}
Virginia Opera has announced a major change to its 2024-25 season. The company revealed that instead of performing “Götterdämmerung” to open the season, it will kick off its 50th anniversary with “Don Giovanni.” In an official press statement, the company noted that financial considerations forced the substitution. “As we strive to maintain the highest standards of artistic excellence while also {…}
(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 {…}
Credit Frank Caliri Jonathan McPhee boasts a diverse musical portfolio. As the Music Director for the Lexington Symphony in Massachusetts and a Guest Conductor at the Houston Ballet, his expertise doesn’t stop there — he’s also a composer and arranger. With an affinity for arranging, he’s notably transformed grand pieces, such as Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” and “Firebird” into reductions. {…}
(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) Having successfully staged strong productions of “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” followed by a slightly less convincing presentation of “Siegfried,” Sofia Opera & Ballet concluded its new production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle with a splendid performance of “Götterdämmerung.” Not only was it musically, dramatically and visually gripping, but it also successfully brought together the threads {…}
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 {…}
(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 {…}
La Monnaie / De Munt has announced a new production of Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” The production will be conducted Alain Altinoglu with Romeo Castellucci directing. First up will be “Das Rheingold” in October 2023 followed by a 2024 production of “Die Walküre.” “Siegfried” will bow in September 2024 and the cycle will come to a close with “Götterdämmerung” {…}