Melbourne Opera continues Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle with Die Walküre on February 9, 11, 13, 16 at Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition St, Melbourne and February 27 at the Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo.
Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle is known to be the most impressive event in opera, representing the pinnacle of opulence, excess and excellence and the ultimate challenge for any opera company.
As the first independent and unsubsidised Ring Cycle to be staged in Australia since 1913, Melbourne Opera’s production is an historic event. Die Walküre is lauded as the inspiration behind many great themes, stories and soundtracks across the ages.
Between Das Rheingold and Die Walküre, Wotan fathers half-human twins Siegmund and Sieglinde in his attempt to change destiny and subvert the foretold destruction of the gods and Valhalla. He also fathers an extraordinary warrior woman, Brunnhilde along with her sister Valkyries to protect his godly empire.
But children never do exactly what a parent plans: they have free will and what ensues is a messy, passionate and transcendent emotional roller coaster where Wotan is forced by duty to turn against those he loves the most. Siegmund and Sieglinde both emerge heroically, Brunnhilde discovers the meaning of love and Wotan is pushed to breaking point.
Melbourne Opera’s production features an all-Australian cast led by internationally acclaimed singers and helmed by director, Suzanne Chaundy, who continues her realisation of Wagner’s epic Ring.
“Die Walküre is an opera about heroes and gods which helps us understand what it is to be human. In Das Rheingold, we see the rejection of love for power, in Die Walküre we experience the power of love,” says Suzanne. “My challenge is to portray this epic work in a truly affecting way.”
Performance Season: February 9, 11, 13, 16 at her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition St., Melbourne; February 27 at the Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo.
Bookings: Ticketek, with bookings available online, or 13 28 49.