First Ring cycle at Royal Festival Hall?
mainThat’s the claim from Opera North. Has Wagner’s epic never been sung on the South Bank?
Opera North presents its eagerly awaited performances of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen in five UK cities, alongside a programme of celebratory events designed to bring the Ring to as many people as possible:
Power of Power festival at London’s Southbank Centre takes inspiration from Opera North’s
Ring cycle.
Special events for children and families, including over 1000 schoolchildren taking part in the Opera North Big Sing
A deeper insight for audiences into Wagner’s work with talks and debates in every city
Live big-screen relay of sold-out performances of the Ring at Southbank Centre (28 June – 3 July) – the first complete Ring cycle to be performed at the Royal Festival Hall
This monumental work will be performed in its entirety by a leading cast of top British and international Wagnerian performers and conducted by Richard Farnes, giving audiences a rare opportunity to experience the breath-taking scope and dramatic power of Wagner’s masterpiece over the course of a few days or weeks:
Leeds Town Hall (23 April – 21 May; 24 – 29 May)
Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (6 – 11 June)
The Lowry, Salford (13 – 18 June)
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (28 June – 3 July)
Sage Gateshead (5 – 10 July)
Amazing and impressive… only the ‘Big Sing’ invokes some worry: a sing-along with parts of the Ring?
Having seen all four operas in Leeds when done individually, this really will be superb. One question: Why is Richard Farnes never mentioned in connection with ENO? I would have thought that 12 incredibly successful years at Opera North would have made him an ideal candidate. Or is it just that he has more sense than to want the job?