Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Rheingold

Jul. 27th, 2006 09:01 am
selenak: (Frodo - Kathyh)
[personal profile] selenak
Rheingold yesterday was a good start for the new Ring. Not without hitches - I thought Tankred Dorst should have been daring and chucked the one present day dress person he used per main place of location (one for Valhalla, one for the mining shafts of the Nibelungs, and in the end three children for Valhalla again), because the rest of the scenes had moments of pure magic - the opening image, for example, really managed to conjure up a river from below the water surface, and the Nibelungs later, forced to serve Alberich, were pitiable and unheimlich at the same time. I have seen so many modern dress productions of the Ring that I really long for someone to do it as unabashed fantasy, Lord-of-the-Rings-as-filmed-by-Peter-Jackson style. And Dorst, in sequences, came close.

Singers and conductor (Christian Thielmann) were in fine form, and there is just nothing like hearing the first notes of Rheingold literaly coming from the depth, in the opera house specifically build for performing it. But it was ever so hot, and they must have been melting on stage as much as we did in the audience. Poor old Fasolt had to be carried by his fellow giant Fafnir after the second round of applause because one of his leg enhancers broke, and because he was just that done in by the heat.

Lastly, and before I hurry off to prepare for the next round, here's yours truly, my mother, and a friend of ours in front of the Festspielhaus, the quintessential cushions (Bayreuth surviving tool par excellence!) on one side. I'm the one in the middle:



Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Date: 2006-07-27 07:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] londonkds.livejournal.com
They ought to rent out cushions like we do at the Globe if they're necessary. Probably make enough to maintain the theatre...

Date: 2006-07-27 10:43 am (UTC)
ext_1059: (Default)
From: [identity profile] shezan.livejournal.com
I remember the cushions! And this production sounds VERY interesting!

Date: 2006-07-27 11:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] artaxastra.livejournal.com
It sounds wonderful! Wish I was there! (I kniow, I say that every year!)

I admit I have a fondness for the over the top productions as well. I mean, if you can't be over the top in opera, when can you do it?

Date: 2006-07-27 05:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] likeadeuce.livejournal.com
Sounds like great fun, and you all look lovely.

Poor old Fasolt had to be carried by his fellow giant Fafnir after the second round of applause because one of his leg enhancers broke,

I just love sentences like that, even when I don't fully understand them. It so sounds like something out of sci-fii. "Code blue, captain. The leg enhancer is malfunctioning."

Enjoy the rest of your festival!

Date: 2006-07-28 05:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] selenak.livejournal.com
He. Actually, they do rent out cushions, but those of the audience who already were in Bayreuth more than once bring their own along anyway.*g* Also, the big fleecing of the audience happens via the drinks, especially in this heat...

Date: 2006-07-28 06:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] selenak.livejournal.com
I just posted my second report. And yes, cushions = blessings for one's backside.

Date: 2006-07-28 06:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] selenak.livejournal.com
Quite. I caved and bought the DVDs of the Ring cycle directed by Otto Schenk and conducted by James Levine at the Metropolitan Oper, which I remember seeing on tv. If you haven't seen it, check it out...

Date: 2006-07-28 06:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] selenak.livejournal.com
He. Well, you know, it just might be my (lack of) English vocabulary - I made the word up because I don't have my dictionary with me.

Date: 2006-07-28 06:59 pm (UTC)

Date: 2006-07-29 09:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] selenak.livejournal.com
Still not having my dictionary with me, I'll take your word for it!

Profile

selenak: (Default)
selenak

February 2026

S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Page generated Feb. 3rd, 2026 05:09 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios