Dresden, 17 January 2023. Twenty years after this Dresden production of the »Ring« cycle was original premiered and almost five years to the day after the most recent revival, Richard Wagner’s epic work »Der Ring des Nibelungen« returns this season to the Semperoper stage. The two fully staged cycles directed by Willy Decker and featuring an outstanding cast will be performed from 27 January to 1 February 2023 and from 5 February to 10 February 2023 respectively.
Originally scheduled for the 2020/21 season, the performances had to be postponed due to the pandemic restrictions. Now the music world eagerly anticipates the two Semperoper »Ring« cycles, not least due to the presence of acclaimed Wagnerian and Principal Conductor of the Dresden Staatskapelle, Christian Thielemann. In addition, a star-studded cast of singers including Christa Mayer, Adrian Eröd, John Lundgren, Andreas Schager and Georg Zeppenfeld promises opera lovers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Other brilliant artists appearing in the Dresden »Ring« cycles are Ricarda Merbeth, who, after captivating Semperoper visitors in the role of Senta in »Der fliegende Holländer« in 2015 and 2019, now returns as Brünnhilde. Daniel Behle will take on the role of Loge while Hagen as well as Fafner will be performed by Stephen Milling. The internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier will appear at the Semperoper to perform the role of Waltraute for the very last time in her stage career.
Singers making their role debuts include Allison Oakes as Sieglinde, Michal Doron as Erda, Markus Marquardt as Alberich and Lawson Anderson as Donner. In the current Dresden season, Anderson has already thrilled audiences with his role debut as Marcel in the acclaimed revival of »Les Huguenots«.
This musically and psychologically complex tetralogy has been staged by one of Europe’s most celebrated opera directors, the multi-award winning Willy Decker. Many of his productions, such as that of the Dresden »Ring«, have been created in collaboration with the stage and costume designer Wolfgang Gussmann. Decker’s trademark is a unique scenic minimalism and psychologically penetrating characterisation. From 2002 to 2003, he created the already legendary productions of »Das Rheingold«, »Die Walküre«, »Siegfried« and »Götterdämmerung« for the Semperoper, which together form »Der Ring des Nibelungen«. The director reveals some interesting facts and background information about his work in a taped discussion with dramaturges Juliane Schunke and Benedikt Stampfli, which can be heard on the Semperoper website at semperoper.de/pausengespraech (only in German).
The two »Ring« cycles at the Semperoper are accompanied by some special events:
The regular series »Aktenzeichen«, which explores the Historical Archive of the Saxon State Theatres, is presenting »Von Helden und Schlachtjungfern« (Of Heroes and Battle Maidens), at which staff member Elisabeth Telle and dramaturge Juliane Schunke will delve into the filing cabinets to uncover illuminating facts about Wagner’s opus magnum. Tickets for this event are available from the Semperoper box office in the Schinkelwache.
In cooperation with the independent cinema Programmkino Ost and the Chair of Medieval and Post-Medieval Art History at TU Dresden, the film series »Wagner.Kino.Oper« will explore the life and work of the composer as portrayed on the big screen. Groundbreaking films such as Fritz Lang’s »Die Nibelungen« (1924) and Luchino Visconti’s »Ludwig« (1973) will be shown, as well as Axel Brüggemann’s recent »Wagner, Bayreuth und der Rest der Welt« (2021).
Demand for the Dresden »Ring« cycles, which feature the Dresden Staatskapelle under its Principal Conductor, Christian Thielemann, is enormous, with all performances already sold out. Returns and tickets for standing places may be purchased at the evening box offices prior to each performance.
»Der Ring des Nibelungen« by Richard Wagner
»Das Rheingold« – Sat, 27 January 2023, 6 pm / Sun, 5 February 2023, 5 pm
»Die Walküre« – Sun, 28 January 2023, 4 pm / Mon, 6 February 2023, 4 pm
»Siegfried« – Mon, 30 January 2023, 4 pm / Wed, 8 February 2023, 4 pm
»Götterdämmerung« – Wed, 1 February 2023, 4 pm / Fri, 10 February 2023, 4 pm
With Ricarda Merbeth, Christa Mayer, Waltraud Meier, Lawson Anderson, Daniel Behle, Adrian Eröd, John Lundgren, Markus Marquardt, Stephen Milling, Andreas Schager, Georg Zeppenfeld and others
The Dresden Staatskapelle will perform under its Principal Conductor, Christian Thielemann. Also appearing on stage: the State Opera Chorus.
Produced in cooperation with the Teatro Real Madrid
Generously supported by Daimler AG
An initiative of the Semperoper Foundation
Due to the very high demand, no further review tickets are currently available. If you wish your name placed on our waiting list, please send us an email with details of your editorial assignment and the expected publication date to: presse@semperoper.de
»Aktenzeichen: Von Helden und Schlachtjungfern«
in the Historical Archive of the Saxon State Theatres, Ostra-Allee 9, 01067 Dresden
On Thu, 26 January, 2. February and 9 February 2023, at 6 pm
Tickets for this event are available from the Schinkelwache on Theaterplatz.
»Wagner.Kino.Oper« – Movie series at Programmkino Ost
»Wagner, Bayreuth und der Rest der Welt« y Axel Brüggemann – Su, 26 February 2023, 5 pm
»Die Nibelungen«, 1. Teil »Siegfried« by Fritz Lang – Su, 12 March 2023, 5 pm
»Die Nibelungen«, 2. Teil »Kriemhilds Rache« by Fritz Lang – Su, 19 March 2023, 5 pm
»Ludwig II.« (Director’s Cut) by Luchino Visconti – Su, 26 March 2023, 4.15 pm
In cooperation with the independent cinema Programmkino Ost and the Chair of Medieval and Post-Medieval Art History at TU Dresden
Further Informationen at programmkino-ost.de
Publicity materials of »Der Ring des Nibelungen« at the Semperoper are available for download in our password-protected press webpage at semperoper.de/en/press
Photo: »Götterdämmerung« © Semperoper Dresden/Klaus Gigga