Oper
Wednesday 05.05.2021 | 5 p.m. | Opernhaus
Das Rheingold
Richard Wagner
Information
Prelude to the scenic festival Der Ring des Nibelungen | Text by the composer
Einführung 45 Min. vor Vorstellungsbeginn im Konzertfoyer
Comment
Prelude to the scenic festival Der Ring des Nibelungen | Text by the composer | In German with german and english supertitles | | Playing time ca. 2 3/4 hours | No intermission
Conceived as a preliminary evening to Wagner’s interpretation of world mythology, »Das Rheingold« introduces the central themes of this tetralogy: »Only he who renounces the power of love« can form the Rheingold into a ring that promises its bearer power over the world. It is the low E-flat in the strings that gives us the musical manifestation of the idea of a natural primitive state. But once Alberich steals the Rheingold, a chain of events are set in motion: Wotan’s megalomaniacal plan to build a structure representative of gods’ long-lost authority is followed by Alberich’s betrayal at Wotan and Loge’s hand and Alberich’s subsequent curse. The murder of Fasolt by his brother Fafner ensues. Not even Erda, with her wisdom and warning, can stop the chain of events from unfurling.
To coincide with the Wagner anniversary in 2013, the Oper Leipzig kicks off a new staged production of the Ring des Nibelungen, together with the Gewandhaus Orchestra under the direction of Intendant and General Music Director Prof. Ulf Schirmer. Das Rheingold isn’t just the shortest of the four operas, but also the most comical. Gods are, after all, just like men…
Conceived as a preliminary evening to Wagner’s interpretation of world mythology, »Das Rheingold« introduces the central themes of this tetralogy: »Only he who renounces the power of love« can form the Rheingold into a ring that promises its bearer power over the world. It is the low E-flat in the strings that gives us the musical manifestation of the idea of a natural primitive state. But once Alberich steals the Rheingold, a chain of events are set in motion: Wotan’s megalomaniacal plan to build a structure representative of gods’ long-lost authority is followed by Alberich’s betrayal at Wotan and Loge’s hand and Alberich’s subsequent curse. The murder of Fasolt by his brother Fafner ensues. Not even Erda, with her wisdom and warning, can stop the chain of events from unfurling.
To coincide with the Wagner anniversary in 2013, the Oper Leipzig kicks off a new staged production of the Ring des Nibelungen, together with the Gewandhaus Orchestra under the direction of Intendant and General Music Director Prof. Ulf Schirmer. Das Rheingold isn’t just the shortest of the four operas, but also the most comical. Gods are, after all, just like men…
Cast
Direction
Musikalische Leitung Ulf Schirmer, Inszenierung Rosamund Gilmore, Bühne Carl Friedrich Oberle, Kostüme Nicola Reichert, Licht Michael Röger, Dramaturgie Christian Geltinger, Gewandhausorchester
Cast members
- Fricka Kathrin Göring
- Freia Gal James
- Erda Karin Lovelius
- Woglinde Magdalena Hinterdobler
- Wellgunde Sandra Maxheimer
- Floßhilde Sandra Janke
- Wotan Iain Paterson
- Donner Anooshah Golesorkhi
- Froh Matthias Stier
- Loge Thomas Mohr
- Fasolt Sebastian Pilgrim
- Fafner James Moellenhoff
- Alberich Kay Stiefermann
- Mime Dan Karlström