Ring cycle flees Sydney for Brisbane
NewsOpera Australia is hoping to save its Ring cycle by flying it north from locked-down Sydney to Brisbane, which has fewer Covid curbs.
Artistic director Lyndon Terracini says: ‘We are working through every option available to us and to get our performers to Brisbane and open The Ring Cycle on October 29 as planned.’
More here.
Are they actually moving a production originally scheduled for Sydney to Brisbane? That sounds like a challenge (not to mention a different audience). And where would they have performed in Sydney? The Sydney Opera House may be one of the glories of 20th century architecture but the actual opera facility isn’t really built for a massive production like the Ring.
The Ring was never scheduled for Sydney. It was always going to be in Brisbane. Originally 2020 and now this season.
And you’re right, because of the limitations of the SOH Opera Theatre, no one has ever attempted a Ring cycle in Sydney in recent times – perhaps ever – except in concert performances (Edo de Waart with the SSO).
Even if they get the company to brisbane, where will they get their audience for 3 cycles from?
Brisbane was always the intended location for this production, which was rescheduled from 2020 because of the Covid situation. Rehearsals were planned for August in Sydney (where Opera Australia has its headquarters) before moving to Brisbane in September. The latest decision just brings forward the intended start of the Brisbane rehearsals, which makes a lot of sense. The first cycle will open at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on 29 October. We can’t wait!
Likely the only Ring anywhere in 2021?