Washington National Opera: Ring Cycle: The Rhinegold

Saturday, April 30, 2016 – Tuesday, May 17, 2016
The epic story of the Ring begins on the banks of the Rhine, where three maidens guard the river’s magical gold. If forged into a ring, this sacred treasure gives its bearer unimaginable abilities–but at the cost of renouncing love forever.

Price: $90.00 – $515.00  at: http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/event/OQOSB  or tel: (202) 467-4600
A MYTHICAL RING STOLEN. A POWERFUL CURSE UNLEASHED.

The Rhinegold  (Das Rheingold, 1869)

In the Eye of the Ring. An introduction to Richard Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung.” This monumental cycle of four operas is one of the major achievements in the annals of art. The documentary breaks down and reveals all the Leitmotiv’s, characters, scenes, plots, metaphors, mythology, and names in Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

The epic story of the Ring begins on the banks of the Rhine, where three maidens guard the river’s magical gold. If forged into a ring, this sacred treasure gives its bearer unimaginable abilities–but at the cost of renouncing love forever. Alberich, a cunning dwarf, futilely tries to seduce the Rhinemaidens. Angered by their scorn, he steals the precious metal and retreats to the underworld, commanding his slaves to begin molding his means to world domination.

Meanwhile, Wotan, the king of the gods, must repay the giants Fasolt and Fafner for their construction of Valhalla, an opulent new fortress for his fellow immortals, among them his long-suffering wife Fricka. Working with the fire spirit Loge and Alberich’s sly brother Mime, Wotan conspires to seize the ring and settle his debt. But beware the dwarf’s curse: if the ring is taken from him, jealousy, despair, and even death will befall all who possess it.

In German with projected English titles.Titles may not be visible from the rear of the orchestra.

Performance Timing: Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, with NO intermission. Please plan to arrive with sufficient time to allow for parking and entry into the Opera House by curtain time.

Cast and Creative Team:
Woglinde  Jacqueline Echols±
Wellgunde  Catherine Martin
Flosshilde  Renée Tatum*
Alberich  Gordon Hawkins
Fricka  Elizabeth Bishop
Wotan  Alan Held
Freia  Melody Moore
Fasolt  Julian Close*
Fafner  Soloman Howard±
Froh   Richard Cox*
Donner  Ryan McKinny*
Loge  William Burden
Mime  David Cangelosi
Erda  Lindsay Ammann*

Listed in order of vocal appearance

Director  Francesca Zambello
Conductor  Philippe Auguin
Set Designer  Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer  Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer  Mark McCullough
Projection Designers  S. Katy Tucker and Jan Hartley
Choreographer  Denni Sayers

Post by Nadia Kovarskaya