2016 Bayreuth Ring on Sky Arts

[Bert Coules]

Something that's not doing this any favours is the appalling subtitling: for the most part, so far at least, the language has been the worst kind of turn-of-the-century Operaese, all thithers and yons and convoluted phrasing - totally at odds with the visuals.

As for the production, quite apart from any other consideration, the action - as usual - all too often flatly contradicts or ignores the text: "Leave off your hammer's heft" says Wotan to a Donner who clearly doesn't actually have one anywhere about him, and that's just one instance among so many - and we're only halfway through scene two. I suppose it's just part and parcel of the deliberate deconstruction, and come to think of it, maybe the subtitles are, too. But it would be pleasing (to a certain extent, at least) to see a modern staging which managed to impose its opinions and interpretations on the work without being at odds with what the characters are actually saying.

As usual with this sort of staging, the only thing that's actually keeping me watching is the perverse desire to see just how various aspects of the show are going to be handled. Nibelheim's coming up, then there's the Tarnhelm, the dragon, the toad...

[ARBurton]

Good post Bert - do you know the Copenhagen Ring on Drcca dvds with Michael Schonwandt? modern yet interpretative as you suggest.

[Bert Coules]

Thanks. Yes, I have the Copenhagen Ring and though it's a fair while since I watched it I remember enjoying a great deal of it. I do wish though, that in these times when sword-and-sorcery fantasy is riding so high in popular culture someone would have the courage to give us a Game of Thrones/Lord of the Rings style Ring - and let the work speak for itself.

[ARBurton]

Yes indeed!
Is the cameraman who's on stage part of the production or one of the tv crew, I wonder?

[Bert Coules]

He's part of Wotan's ever-present (even when he's shagging Freia) PR team, surely?

[ARBurton]

I wonder who`s doing the tv production - the camerawork is pretty static.

[ARBurton]

I wonder who`s doing the tv production - the camerawork is pretty static.

That`s the second thing that I`ve posted about wondering - am clearly less than engrossed....

[Bert Coules]

I've been catching the big moments to see how they're being done and alternating with 4HD's rather more gripping "Britain's Favourite Superhero".

[ARBurton]

At last - a thought provoking bit! The on screen video screen showing behind the scene footage of Wotan and Erda in mid clinch after her dramatic appearance - imaginative precursor to events later in the story ...

[DracoM]

Watched for 20 mins. Enough for me.

[Bert Coules]

At least Donner remembered where he'd left his hammer for his big moment at the end.

[ARBurton]

Sky presentation is abysmal - no mention at all of who's in the cast or on the podium!!!!!

[Bert Coules]

On the subject of contradicting or simply ignoring the text, it's interesting that however extreme the staging no production (to my knowledge at least) has yet gone down the road of changing the words to suit the action. Perhaps it's just a matter of time.

[ARBurton]

You've heard the expression "don't give them ideas..."!!

[Bert Coules]

If I genuinely thought that anyone with that sort of power and influence was reading my words I'd make some rather different suggestions. Here's one: how about a heritage Ring production using the original 1876 designs and technology and (as far as is known) contemporary acting styles?