Opera
Das Rheingold
The first part of Wagner's visionary ring cycle
In the words of the prestigious German weekly Die Zeit, the stage production of Wagner’s Rheingold and Walküre by La Fura dels Baus “quite possibly shows us the path that musical theatre will be taking in the future”.
Musically, the first two parts of Wagner’s teralogy –Das Rheingold and Die Walküre – are on par with productions from historically more prestigious opera houses. Legendary conductor Zubin Mehta leads world-class Wagner singers German Villar, Ilya Bannik, John Daszak, Matti Salminen and Juha Uusitalo in this stunning version of Wagner’s opera.
The Barcelona–based La Fura dels Baus, who have staged Das Rheingold, blends music, dance, acrobatics and technology into unforgettable stage events of sometimes raw but always captivating power. The Fura made its breakthrough in the classical establishment with its production of Berlioz’s La damnation de Faust at the 1999 Salzburg Festival. The Fura’s fertile visual fantasy and endless combinations of savvy video technology, lighting and props (often formed as human beings) are predestined for Wagner’s visionary expressive world.
Composer Richard Wagner
Conductor Zubin Mehta
Staged By Carlos Padrissa
Set Roland Olbeter
Costumes Chu Uroz
Soloists German Villar, Ilya Bannik, John Daszak, Matti Salminen, Juha Uusitalo
Orchestra Orquestra de la Comunitat Vale
Video Director Tiziano Mancini
Bookmark this page...
* Required fields
Latest comments
Michael Ward
Fri 26 June 2009, 08:06
This is very good news. The Fura dels Baus production of the Ring, together with Mehta’s conducting, has received very positive reviews, notably for its integration of multimedia art forms while still managing to follow the spirit of Wagner’s stage directions. Not to be misssed. Given Sky’s collaboration with ENO, could we also please have a showing of the forthcoming Fura dels Baus / ENO production of Ligetti’s Le Grand Macabre?
Report this comment
David Foulger
Sat 27 June 2009, 08:19
I would find it helpful if you could list the dates and times when operas are being transmitted along with all the other helpful information on this page. I t would be easier than searching through the weekly listings.
Report this comment
Robert Fairweather
Sat 27 June 2009, 19:34
I am writing this on the evening of June 27 and can only find programmes for the next three days. This makes planning impossible.
Report this comment
Rob
Tue 30 June 2009, 08:34
I couldn’t get anything beyond the 27th in the printer frieldly listings. Isn’t this frustrating!
Report this comment
Richard Bird
Tue 30 June 2009, 09:33
I find your site just so bad! “Rheingold” is proclaimed (though incidentally not even listed in A-Z), but WHEN is it to be broadcast? If you try “Search this site” ref Sky Arts 2, some of the stuff there relates to April for-heaven’s-sake, none is even July, which starts tomorrow. And so on.
Report this comment
Keiko
Tue 30 June 2009, 12:15
Video director name of this production is Franc Aleu.
and light is Peter Van Praet.
I thought orchestra was from Palau de les arts Reina Sofia..
Report this comment
Rob
Fri 3 July 2009, 09:41
What incredibly great voices in this production. Not a weak link in the whole cast! And in this age of recycling, its good to see that the off-cuts from somebody’s bathroom carpet are being put to good use with the costumes. At least Loge appears to be wearing a tent which appears quite new. Am I the only one who can’t sit all the way through this without being turned off by the costumes and the fork-lift trucks?
Report this comment
Liz Donaldson
Fri 3 July 2009, 14:16
I don,t on the whole like The Ring Cycle. And I don’t on the whole like German productions.BUT this was a marvellous production with fabulous singing and I have been converted.
Report this comment
David Clift
Fri 3 July 2009, 14:39
I enjoyed this production very much. BUT who decided to run the opening credits over the opening bars? Obviously someone who has never experienced them in the opera house. I’m glad I resisted the temptation to turn off.
Report this comment
Stephen Curtis
Mon 6 July 2009, 09:18
Das Rheingold - La Fura dels Baus
Please run this broadcast again. I returned from holiday in time for just the last hour on Sunday. Absolutely brilliant! A relief to get away from the recent spate of “grunge” costume productions. Great work.
Report this comment
Oswald Chorlton
Tue 7 July 2009, 14:09
This production was undoubtedly the best I have ever seen, and the production team were brilliant, with outstanding results by the sound engineers, every word was clear and not overpowered by the orchestra. Hope there is more to come.
Report this comment
Bert Coules
Sat 11 July 2009, 00:58
Is this due to be repeated? My recording was not a success…
Report this comment
Chris Chown
Sun 12 July 2009, 10:24
Utterly, utterly brilliant. The video and performing artists bring the extra dimensions in to make sense of Wagner. Stupendous singing, playing and theatre. What a shame I’ve missed it in Valencia, will they re run it, does anyone know?
Please don’t tell me we’re not going to get the other three parts…
Report this comment
Bert Coules
Tue 14 July 2009, 08:05
> Please don’t tell me we’re not going to get the other three parts…
I don’t think the staging has progressed yet past Walküre.
Does no-one know if the Rheingold is going to be aired again? This site doesn’t seem to be terribly informative about listings beyond the current month.
Report this comment
Richard Bird
Mon 26 October 2009, 18:02
Sadly your site has become even more useless since I posted my comment at the end of June (still showing: what a waste of space). What IS the point of all this yesterday’s info? And why, when something new is promised, is it SO difficult, even impossible, to learn when it is to be broadcast? What you provide is less helpful than even “Radio Times”: wow!
Report this comment
Richard Potter
Thu 29 October 2009, 20:35
Why do you make it so difficult for anyone to find out when a programme is on? This website is NOT user-friendly!!
Report this comment
Peter March
Thu 29 October 2009, 21:17
Sky Arts makes my subscription worth every penny! Please keep it up. The Operas from the Met are just fantastic.
Many thanks Sky Arts .... Peter and Sandra March
Report this comment
tony mc
Tue 10 November 2009, 18:10
i have just watched this opera for the first time and was absoutly amazed at this production. well done sky arts
Report this comment
Catherine Fraser
Sun 15 November 2009, 00:23
I agree - this is a brilliant production. where can I buy it?
Report this comment