Monday, August 31, 2009

2009.8.25,26,28,30. Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen

Great stage sets (designed by Thomas Lynch), especially the forest scenes. Big sound with a 90 piece orchestra, conducted by Robert Spano. Big voices. Costume design is unimaginative (except for the Rhine daughters). The dwarfs don't look any smaller or uglier than any of the heroes. Everyone seems to wear similar rag. Once awhile, something is played from the speakers on the back wall: a bit disturbing.

Das Rheingold was played without intermission (2:40), and I was almost late. The swimming scene was too bright, hence the lines hanging on the Rhine daughters were visible. I don't understand why they would tease Alberich, and told him about the secret of the gold.

Fire lit up at the end of Die Walküre. The Star War theme song is prevalent, and powerful. It takes Brünnhilde forever to agree to stay with Siegfried, even though her goddess status was revoked already.

Siegfried looked as old as Mime the dwarf. It's sad that he killed the one who brought him up. The dragon was cute and colorful. I don't understand why Wotan wakes up Erda, even though he has already made his decision.

Götterdämmerung is the longest. Siegfried looked like a buffoon. Here, he is not able to listen to the intention of people and drank the forgetting potion. The final burning effect was very good. Why they all have to die?
Wotan:      Greer Grimsley
Fricka:     Stephanie Blythe
Alberich:   Richard Paul Fink
Loge:       Kobie van Rensburg
Erda:       Maria Streijffert
Mime:       Dennis Petersen †
Fafner:     Daniel Sumegi
Brünnhilde: Janice Baird
Sieglinde:  Margaret Jane Wray
Siegmund:   Stuart Skelton
Hunding:    Andrea Silvestrelli
Siegfried:  Stig Andersen
Hagen:      Daniel Sumegi
Gunther:    Gordon Hawkins
Gutrune:    Marie Plette