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. {…}
(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 {…}
Tenor Simon O’Neill has joined the roster of Arsis Artist Management. He will be managed by Michael Lewin. The tenor recently appeared alongside Gustavo Dudamel for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 and also performed in “Fidelio” with the Sydney Symphony.” He will also appear in a new recording of “Siegfried” under Sir Simon Rattle for BR Klassik; the {…}
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) After a very successful performance of “Die Walküre,” expectations were running high for Sofia Opera & Ballet’s production of “Siegfried,” the third opera in the company’s latest Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, however, it fell short of the standards set by the two preceding operas, “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” and was dwarfed by the excellent presentation {…}
The Wagner in Vermont Festival 2023, organized by TUNDI Productions, is scheduled to take place in Brattleboro, VT, in August 2023. “Die Walküre” will star Alan Schneider as Siegmund, Charles D. Martin as Wotan, Sondra Kelly as Fricka, Roseanne Ackerley as Sieglinde, Kirk Eichelberger as Hunding, and Jenna Rae as Brünnhilde, among others. Performance Date: August 18 & 22, 2023 {…}
(Credit: Enrico Nawrath) And now we have entered the realm of the absurd. Those who read my reviews for “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” know that I was quite critical of director Valentin Schwarz’s approach, which proved hostile to the original libretto in most of his “creative” choices. But this production of “Siegfried” somehow managed to push beyond those limits {…}
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” {…}
(Credit: © Wiener Staatsoper / Michael Pöhn) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced the slate of operas that it will be presenting on its streaming platform over the next week. Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” from 2016 will be streamed initially. Adam Fischer conducts a production by Sven-Eric Bechtolf. First up is “Das Rheingold” with Tomasz Konieczny, Norbert Ernst, Michaela Schuster, {…}
(Credits: Bettina Stöß / Bernd Uhlig) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced all the premieres of its 2021-22 season. Here is a look. The “Best of Carmen” concert will spotlight Valeriia Savinskaia, Arianna Manganello, Elena Tsallagova, Matthew Newlin, Joel Allison, and Ève-Maud Hubeaux in the title role. Daniel Carter conducts a production by Silke Sense. Performance dates: Aug. 21 – {…}
San Francisco Opera is in the midst of its month-long festival dedicated to Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” In the coming weeks, Lois Silverstein will explore her experience not only revisiting the 2018 opera production but several of the events and panels presented by the company. A delightful and informative series of lectures on “The Ring” comes from Dr. Clifford “Kip” Cranna, Dramaturg {…}