Das Rheingold

I must admit that I never went to a Wagner Opera in my life.  I have read about Wagner in all my research about the War many times and I arrived at the point that I needed to see the opera.  The Met plans to stage the whole cycle over two years, and the first cycle, THE RHEINGOLD, was immediately sold out of course. And so we went to the movies to see and hear the opera, sitting in these very comfortable chairs in a 10plex where I normally do not go a lot. But to listen to the opera there is great, in addition to listening  to close up and behind the stage interviews and scenes with all these famous singers. What a performance it was, what budget it must have been. A 45 ton two-tower set dominates the staging consisting out of huge planks that move up and down. A stunning opening scene with the three Rhinemaidens who suspended by ropes swim around in mid-air, releasing columns of bubbles from their mouth and sing wonderfully. It all was a mesmerizing display of magic hearing and watching the gods struggle for the possession of the magic ring. The singers moved around in infrared light wearing bold and I would say a bit unattractive costumes. But the contrast between the super modern and sparse stage setting and the very very dated costumes was spellbinding by itself. You were never able to see the whole stage completely, an overview that I missed. On the other hand, there were all these great close ups focusing on the faces,  and you could virtually see the sound roll out of their mouth.

The conductor was James Levine who had just come back from a back surgery; Wotan was sung by Bryn Terfel who sometimes I think looked a bit lost. It was a tour de force for 3 1/2 nonstop hours and very exciting. I was impressed by Alberich, the dwarf who was sung by Eric Owen. Altogether it was the most impressive magnificent operatic piece I have ever attended! It's strange to know that THE RHEINGOLD was written last by Wagner, he went backwards here I have read somewhere. First the third cycle, then the second and then only the first. Who would have know that I cannot wait to see and hear the next cycle!