wagner

When is too much too much? Met tests the limits with “Tristan und Isolde”

By Michael Roddy It was the opera coup of the year, perhaps the decade. The Metropolitan Opera, which is flailing under a mountain of debt and even looking to the Saudis for a bailout, enlisted Norwegian superstar soprano Lise Davidsen and American “baritenor” Michael Spyres for the title roles in Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde”…Read more When is too much too much? Met tests the limits with “Tristan und Isolde”

Is the Budapest “Ring” Going Up in Flames?

BUDAPEST - Swedish soprano Irene Theorin was beaming backstage after she'd burned down the Valhalla home of the gods at the end of Wagner's "Gotterdammerung", and brought some five hours of singing over three nights in Budapest to a glorious conclusion. "I've now done this brilliant part many times but never in my life in…Read more Is the Budapest “Ring” Going Up in Flames?

Opera Tonight: “Brexitdammerung” (The Twilight of Britain)

Cast: David Wotan, Brunnhilde May, Boris Fasolt, Michael Fafner and Adele The LIttle England Sinfonietta conducted by Alberich Farage David Wotan, the chief of the gods and the Tory party, was getting grief for spending too much time away from home, wandering the world as far afield as Brussels and taking his holiday in Lanzarote.…Read more Opera Tonight: “Brexitdammerung” (The Twilight of Britain)