Opera North Gotterdammerung

[ARBurton]

R3 relayed parts 1-3 of the Opera North "Ring", in previous years - anyone know if we will be treated to the final instalment...?

[french frank]

No sign of it before the Proms start.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnpy

[Flosshilde]

I see from the Guardian's review that there is to be a full cycle in 2016 - a week's holiday in Leeds looks likely!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I see from the Guardian's review that there is to be a full cycle in 2016 - a week's holiday in Leeds looks likely!

Reminds me of the old Barry Cryer joke "Competition: First Prize - a week's holiday in Leeds. Second Prize - TWO weeks holiday in Leeds".

Even so, the Beeb should be broadcasting this year's performance!

[ARBurton]

Reminds me of the old Barry Cryer joke "Competition: First Prize - a week's holiday in Leeds. Second Prize - TWO weeks holiday in Leeds".

Even so, the Beeb should be broadcasting this year's performance!

I'm informed that the 18th June is to be recorded for later broadcast!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I see from the Guardian's review that there is to be a full cycle in 2016 - a week's holiday in Leeds looks likely!

A full cycle in the Leeds Grand Theatre would be better.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A full cycle in the Leeds Grand Theatre would be better.

But where would you put the audience, Alpie? ('tain't that "Grand".)

[Black Swan]

I was at the Saturday Performance in Leeds at the town hall The performance was very good. I enjoyed it. The singers were very good. The Rhine Maidens were as reviewed in the times entertaining. I also agree with the review that Alwyn Mellor progressed well and gave a very stunning immolation scene. Standing out other than Mellor was Mats Almgren who portrayed a truly evil and scary Hagan. His scene with the other ultra scary performance by Jo Pohleim as Alberich was mesmerizing. The role of Waltraute must be one of the most desired roles in teh Opera, many great singers have sung it including Waltraud Meier. Susan Bickley gave a stunning performance. Mati Turi as Siegfried was at time more comical than heroic but gave a fine performance as well.

My only negatives come from the brass. There were times the horns wobbled a bit and the trumpets were really not up to it and one who had a couple of solos was flat.
The star instrument performance were the 3 Steerhorn players who blew the dust out of the rafters.

On the whole another really great performance from Opera North. The orchestra was excellent as was the conducting and the optical s added to the performance and did not distract.

Next year The Flying Dutchman and then as stated a complete Ring in 2016.

[Black Swan]

But where would you put the audience, Alpie? ('tain't that "Grand".)

I have to agree. The orchestra won't fit in the pit or probably on the stage. Where would you put the audience?

[kuligin]

I see Dutchman is to be a concert performance too.

Am I alone in preferring opera companies to stage their operas. No excuse about size of the opera for the Dutchman, as the Scots and Welsh have staged it recently

I am not sure that size is a valid excuse for the Ring either,the whole cycle was given at Freiburg by the local company in a theatre smaller than the Grand, I suspect its cash that is the real problem.

At least in Manchester I find this concert Ring is second best after the recent Halle concert performances, with magnificent brass playing as can be heard on the recording

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have to agree. The orchestra won't fit in the pit or probably on the stage. Where would you put the audience?

Didn't Opera North stage Tannhauser at the Grand a few years ago?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4708666/Pick-of-the-week-Opera-Norths-Tannhauser.html

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I see Dutchman is to be a concert performance too.
Am I alone in preferring opera companies to stage their operas. No excuse about size of the opera for the Dutchman, as the Scots and Welsh have staged it recently.

Indeed, this is disappointing - Dutchman was the first Wagner that ENON (as it was then) staged. It (and Tannhauser) have smaller orchestral requirement so can and should be staged.

I am not sure that size is a valid excuse for the Ring either,the whole cycle was given at Freiburg by the local company in a theatre smaller than the Grand, I suspect its cash that is the real problem.

About a month before ENON's first season, David Lloyd Jones made it clear that the Grand is not a suitable theatre for Wagner's works from Rheingold onwards, and he should know. There were other theatres explored before they settled on the Grand - a venue in Huddersfield was almost chosen, but access and parking difficulties were considered insuperable. "Cash"? Possibly, but the cost of the magnificent projections and lighting effects wouldn't be much less than the price of a few sets and costumes, I would have thought? And it should be emphasized, ON's Ring cycle is a theatrical event: those projections and lighting schemes are a theatrical event. (The article in The Times yesterday made this point very clearly.)

At least in Manchester I find this concert Ring is second best after the recent Halle concert performances, with magnificent brass playing as can be heard on the recording

There is no better orchestral playing anywhere than that of the ON band. And I find Farnes' insights into Wagner's scores more illuminating and powerful than Elder's.

[Flay]

another really great performance from Opera North.

Excellent. I shall be there this afternoon!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I find Farnes' insights into Wagner's scores far more illuminating and powerful than Elder's.

I should emphasize the "I find" here: I'm expressing a preference, not wishing to suggest that Elder's insights are "rubbish" (and I regret my haste at including the "far"). Indeed, it's a matter of rejoicing that the Pennines have witnessed such magnificent Music making over the past four years.

[kuligin]

Did not Lloyd Jones himself conduct Meistersinger in 1985 as well as Prince Igor, Les Troyens ( albeit part 2 only so no need for all those harps)?

Freiburg seats about 900, I saw a good performance of Rheingold and see that they went to do a full Ring.

http://www.theater.freiburg.de/index/TheaterFreiburg/Ring-Zyklus.html

http://www.theater.freiburg.de/index/TheaterFreiburg/Ring-Zyklus.html?naid=580

Of course touring to lots of different sized venues is very difficult and expensive, and makes Opera North's life a lot harder, than a company based in one theatre so I can see the temptation of Concert performances, but for me Opera only fully lives when fully staged. I would have preferred Rheingold staged to a concert Ring

We will just have to disagree over the merits of the Opera North Orchestra , but then I only hear then 2 or 3 times a year and not in Symphonic repertoire but a pretty ropey Faust sticks in the memory.