ROH: Ring 2018

[underthecountertenor]

Lundgren was reportedly ill during the first Walkure but had recovered in time for Siegfried. I'm surprised there wasn't an announcement beforehand because Wotan's hard enough, let alone singing it while you're under the weather, and the audience deserved to know what was going on.

I suspect that Kränzle (Alberich) may have been under the weather for Rheingold in Cycle 3. He was good, but lacked the power he had shown in the General. Again, no announcement, but the cast applauded him warmly at the curtain, and Pappano shook his hand and embraced him.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I suspect that Kränzle (Alberich) may have been under the weather for Rheingold in Cycle 3. He was good, but lacked the power he had shown in the General. Again, no announcement, but the cast applauded him warmly at the curtain, and Pappano shook his hand and embraced him.

There was an announcement, but not very audible. Kranzle didn't perform that night. James Claverton performed instead (confirmation on the Web page for that performance (and links to his artists details.) ).

Kränzle performed in Siegfried today. He was in good voice. Vinke gave a very committed and full voice performance in the title role , acknowledged by a grateful / appreciative audience.

[underthecountertenor]

There was an announcement, but not very audible. Kranzle didn't perform that night. James Claverton performed instead (confirmation on the Web page for that performance (and links to his artists details.) ).

Kränzle performed in Siegfried today. He was in good voice. Vinke gave a very committed and full voice performance in the title role , acknowledged by a grateful / appreciative audience.

Thanks for the correction. It goes without saying that I completely missed the announcement, which I assume must have been made as part of the 5 minute bell. I can understand why they didn't want to spoil the magic of the opening by an onstage announcement. I'm embarrassed that I didn't click that it was a different Alberich from the General, but I just don't know Kränzle well enough.

He and the whole cast (and the orchestra) were on terrific form last night. Agreed about Vinke - the only really convincing Siegfried I've seen live in terms of both singing and acting.

[gurnemanz]

There was an announcement, but not very audible. Kranzle didn't perform that night. James Claverton performed instead (confirmation on the Web page for that performance (and links to his artists details.) ).

Kränzle performed in Siegfried today. He was in good voice. Vinke gave a very committed and full voice performance in the title role , acknowledged by a grateful / appreciative audience.

Strolling along in the foyer we hardly caught the name - it's Cleverton (ROH link). It seemed odd that there was no note inserted in the programme or announcement from the stage as I thought was customary. We asked a couple of attendants as to exactly why Kränzle had withdrawn but no one knew anything more.

I agree. Vinke did a great job. At his individual ovation he appeared to take a big breath (of relief?) and gave a really broad smile of satisfaction.

[underthecountertenor]

I agree. Vinke did a great job. At his individual ovation he appeared to take a big breath (of relief?) and gave a really broad smile of satisfaction.

Just the small matter of Götterdämmerung to go!

I note from his biography in the programme book that Vinke's 100th performance of the role of Siegfried is occurring during this ROH run. Quite an achievement.

[Ein Heldenleben]

A German lady sitting next to me at Siegfried told me that Herr Kranzle had not been at all well . I had forgotten the exact nature of his complaint but then found this on Slipped Disc

https://slippedisc.com/2015/07/just-in-top-baritone-cancels-season-due-to-bone-marrow-disease/

I sincerely hope that this great singer is in good health at the moment. He certainly sounded fine in Siegfried cycle one and Gotterdamerung cycle two - though he has to sing his scene with Hagen suspended 20 ft up in a rowing boat...

[David-G]

Kranzle was in excellent voice in Siegfried last night. Better, I thought, than in the first cycle.

[Darkbloom]

A German lady sitting next to me at Siegfried told me that Herr Kranzle had not been at all well . I had forgotten the exact nature of his complaint but then found this on Slipped Disc

https://slippedisc.com/2015/07/just-in-top-baritone-cancels-season-due-to-bone-marrow-disease/

I sincerely hope that this great singer is in good health at the moment. He certainly sounded fine in Siegfried cycle one and Gotterdamerung cycle two - though he has to sing his scene with Hagen suspended 20 ft up in a rowing boat...

Everyone seems to be sniffing and sneezing at the moment - myself included - so the more likely explanation would be a cold.

[underthecountertenor]

Everyone seems to be sniffing and sneezing at the moment - myself included - so the more likely explanation would be a cold.

As you say, the more likely explanation (by far).

Given the number of coughs and colds flying about, and the number of singers I know who have succumbed, I’m amazed we’ve got through Cycle 3 with only one casualty (and in only one part) so far. There, I’ve probably jinxed it now.

Also amazed (for the same reason) by how quiet the audience has been. Which only goes to show that it is in fact perfectly possible to stifle (as opposed to force) a cough.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I speculate that "The Ring" sorts out the audience - I get the idea a lot of coughing is from the bored and inattentive - perhaps I'm imagining it but it often seems casual and is, therefore, inconsiderate. That might include coughing from those accompanying those more interested, etc. Anyone paying and prepared to last the course for these cycles probably knows the score - cough in the loud passages if it can't be averted and if at all possible, and in any case USE A HANDKERCHIEF TO STIFLE THE NOISE.

But I don't think its elitist, in the cast list sheet for example, to ask those who need to cough to use a handkerchief, out of consideration for others.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I was amazed how little coughing there was in the performances I went to.

[underthecountertenor]

I was amazed how little coughing there was in the performances I went to.

I did detect one snore in Das Rheingold, however.

[gurnemanz]

I did detect one snore in Das Rheingold, however.

I remember reading somewhere that Gustav Mahler once nodded off at the conductor's desk during a longer scene change at the opera in Vienna. Someone gave him a nudge.

[underthecountertenor]

I remember reading somewhere that Gustav Mahler once nodded off at the conductor's desk during a longer scene change at the opera in Vienna. Someone gave him a nudge.

As long as it wasn't a Wagnerian through-composed scene change.

[gurnemanz]

As long as it wasn't a Wagnerian through-composed scene change.

La Sonnambula, maybe.