“Michael Volle’s Wotan […] is an event, […] Rolando Villazón plays a fabulous Loge.” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) A myth, a heroic epic, a family saga – perhaps all of these together – make up Richard Wagner’s Ring tetralogy. This epic production of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden sees a remarkable collaboration between Christian Thielemann , one of the most distinguished Wagner conductors of our time, and Dmitri Tcherniakov, one of the great, internationally celebrated opera directors of our time. The result is “A glittering feast of voices, sounds, ideas and precise direction of characters. Wagner at his best.” (BR Klassik) The Rheingold gives the background to the events that drive the main dramas of the whole Ring cycle. “In this Rheingold, Thielemann mastered the art of nuance and varied interpretation like no other, and without having to bank on exaggeration.” (Bachtrack.com)
Die Walküre
Raising the curtain on a work of superlatives: the Staatsoper Unter den Linden represents the ultimate challenge for any opera house, Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen”. Christian Thielemann conducts the Ring tetralogy, and Dmitri Tcherniakov, highly praised for his psychologically sophisticated productions, led the playful all-star ensemble coherently through the panorama of characters, situations and events that unfolded like a universe and consistently interpreted the sheer vastness and the manifold twists and turns of the Ring cosmos. With the “Walküre” score, composed in the mid-1850s, Wagner reached new heights with his music, giving the orchestra remarkable communicative powers, layers of meaning were thus developed and incorporated into the work. “Enchanting magic of sound” (Die Zeit) / “A triumph for the Staatsoper” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung)
Der Ring des Nibelungen
“Velvety sound of unmatched beauty” (The Guardian)
“Musically, this ‘Ring’ blew away everything that had gone before – and we are talking about a performance history of more than one hundred years.” (Die Welt)
“Christian Thielemann creates a sound paradise.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
“Tcherniakov, as usual, manages details on a level rarely seen in opera.” (The New York Times)
“A dream cast of voices” (Le Monde)
“Wagner at his best.” (BR Klassik)
“Spectacular und breath-takingly precise, that’s how Thielemann illuminates the Wagner score.” (NZZ)
“Michael Volle’s Wotan […] is an event, […] Rolando Villazón plays a fabulous Loge.” (FAZ)
Das Rheingold
“Michael Volle’s Wotan […] is an event, […] Rolando Villazón plays a fabulous Loge.” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) A myth, a heroic epic, a family saga – perhaps all of these together – make up Richard Wagner’s Ring tetralogy. This epic production of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden sees a remarkable collaboration between Christian Thielemann, one of the most distinguished Wagner conductors of our time, and Dmitri Tcherniakov, one of the great, internationally celebrated opera directors of our time. The result is “A glittering feast of voices, sounds, ideas and precise direction of characters. Wagner at his best.” (BR Klassik) The Rheingold gives the background to the events that drive the main dramas of the whole Ring cycle. “In this Rheingold, Thielemann mastered the art of nuance and varied interpretation like no other, and without having to bank on exaggeration.” (Bachtrack.com). “Funny and aching, ironic and horrifying” (The New York Times)
Die Walküre
Raising the curtain on a work of superlatives: the Staatsoper Unter den Linden represents the ultimate challenge for any opera house, Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen”. Christian Thielemann conducts the Ring tetralogy, and Dmitri Tcherniakov, highly praised for his psychologically sophisticated productions, led the playful all-star ensemble coherently through the panorama of characters, situations and events that unfolded like a universe and consistently interpreted the sheer vastness and the manifold twists and turns of the Ring cosmos. With the “Walküre” score, composed in the mid-1850s, Wagner reached new heights with his music, giving the orchestra remarkable communicative powers, layers of meaning were thus developed and incorporated into the work. “Enchanting magic of sound” (Die Zeit) / “Spectacular und breath-takingly precise, that’s how Thielemann illuminates the Wagner score.” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) / “Velvety sound of unmatched beauty” (The Guardian)
Das Rheingold
The Zurich Opera’s production of Das Rheingold, directed by Andreas Homoki and conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, presents the cosmic struggles between gods, giants, and Nibelungs over a cursed ring. Homoki emphasizes character and narrative, portraying these figures as reflections of human nature grappling with themes of love, power, and sacrifice. Noseda’s conducting, paired with Philharmonia Zürich, revitalizes Wagner’s score, while Christian Schmidt’s set design enhances the story’s timelessness. The cast, featuring Tomasz Konieczny as Wotan and Christopher Purves as Alberich, delivers powerful performances that bring the mythic characters to life.
Die Walküre
In Wagner’s Die Walküre, separated twins Siegmund and Sieglinde embark on a forbidden love that disrupts Wotan’s intentions to manipulate fate. Fricka demands Siegmund’s death due to marriage laws, prompting Wotan to command his daughter, Brünnhilde, to allow this. Defying Wotan, Brünnhilde aims to protect Siegmund, which leads to tragic consequences as Wotan intervenes, resulting in Siegmund’s demise. Andreas Homoki’s Zurich production highlights emotional depth, with Gianandrea Noseda’s conducting enhancing Wagner’s nuances. The performances by Eric Cutler, Daniela Köhler, and Camilla Nylund are exceptional, supported by Christian Schmidt’s evocative set designs that reflect the majesty of Wagner’s world.