On August 28th, the NCPA production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, the very beginning of Der Ring Des Nibelungen, made its stunning debut amidst high anticipation.
That evening, conductor LÜ Jia spared no effort on his podium, and under his baton, the China NCPA Orchestra worked with a group of influential Chinese and foreign singers in rendering this "global berceuse" by Wagner for over two hours without intermission.
Der Ring Des Nibelungen provides artists with a huge space for imagination. A classic work can inspire new creations in present time. With this concise, modern production, Director Stefano Poda offered the audience a visual feast on stage that evening.
Curtain raised, the Nymphs danced trippingly on the stage, and when music reached a climax, they, guards of the gold, started singing. QIN Kanru (as Woglinde), XU Xiaoying (as Wellgunde) and ZHANG Yajie (as Flosshilde) sang the harmonious pentatonic melody that represents the eternal order.
Alberich broke in, disturbing the peace. This role, a bass, full of dramatic tension, is portrayed by Tomas Tomasson. He acted alongside the three Nymphs, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
Guided by the sound pattern representing Castle Valhalla, the audience was taken from the bottom of the Rhine to the realm of gods. The dramatic conflict was intensified around Wotan's relationship with other characters. Bass-baritone Egils Silins sang in a steady, deep voice, indicating how restrained and secretive the head of gods is.
Bettina Ranch, who plays Wotan's wife, Fricka, sang in a soft melodious voice. Watching Fricka do her utmost to take part with her sister and demonstrate a thirst for the Rheingold, the audience became aware how human she is.
Tenor Christian Franz sang in his high-pitched, beautiful voice, captivating the audience. Every move or gesture of his is a proof for his vivid portrayal of Loge, God of Fire, who is cunning. Robert Bork (as Donner, God of Thunder), WANG Chuan (as Froh, God of Sunshine), Tanja Kuhn (as Goddess of Youth) and the interpreters of other gods performed very well, paving the way for further plot development.
The giant brothers Fafner and Fasolt were played by Bass Andrea Silvestrelli and GUAN Zhijing, a NCPA resident singer. The two actors walked on stilts, giving a high-quality interpretation of their highly challenging roles.
Arnold Bezuyen, who plays Mime, is a professional interpreter of this role. He has acted this part very well in numerous versions. Progressively, Arnold Bezuyen acts out Mime’s multiple feelings, including his memory of the past, fear of Alberich and desire for the ring.
Ensnared, Alberich is taken to the realm of gods, and almost all the characters appeared accordingly, with the struggle for power and wealth shown to the audience. Alberich is forced to give up all his treasures, and when the ring is forcibly taken away from him, he cast the most wicked "curse of death".
When Wotan remains hesitant about whether to hand over the ring to the giant brothers, Erda, Goddess of Wisdom, warns Wotan to give up the ring, and soon afterwards, the curse is fulfilled for the first time - the giants cut one anothe's throats during the distribution of wealth.
God of Thunder, played by Robert Bork, calls for a thunderstorm, and Froh erects a rainbow bridge to Valhalla. With all brass wind instruments played together, the opera came to a magnificent close.
On August 28th, the NCPA production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, the very beginning of Der Ring Des Nibelungen, made its stunning debut amidst high anticipation.
That evening, conductor LÜ Jia spared no effort on his podium, and under his baton, the China NCPA Orchestra worked with a group of influential Chinese and foreign singers in rendering this "global berceuse" by Wagner for over two hours without intermission.
Der Ring Des Nibelungen provides artists with a huge space for imagination. A classic work can inspire new creations in present time. With this concise, modern production, Director Stefano Poda offered the audience a visual feast on stage that evening.
Curtain raised, the Nymphs danced trippingly on the stage, and when music reached a climax, they, guards of the gold, started singing. QIN Kanru (as Woglinde), XU Xiaoying (as Wellgunde) and ZHANG Yajie (as Flosshilde) sang the harmonious pentatonic melody that represents the eternal order.
Alberich broke in, disturbing the peace. This role, a bass, full of dramatic tension, is portrayed by Tomas Tomasson. He acted alongside the three Nymphs, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
Guided by the sound pattern representing Castle Valhalla, the audience was taken from the bottom of the Rhine to the realm of gods. The dramatic conflict was intensified around Wotan's relationship with other characters. Bass-baritone Egils Silins sang in a steady, deep voice, indicating how restrained and secretive the head of gods is.
Bettina Ranch, who plays Wotan's wife, Fricka, sang in a soft melodious voice. Watching Fricka do her utmost to take part with her sister and demonstrate a thirst for the Rheingold, the audience became aware how human she is.
Tenor Christian Franz sang in his high-pitched, beautiful voice, captivating the audience. Every move or gesture of his is a proof for his vivid portrayal of Loge, God of Fire, who is cunning. Robert Bork (as Donner, God of Thunder), WANG Chuan (as Froh, God of Sunshine), Tanja Kuhn (as Goddess of Youth) and the interpreters of other gods performed very well, paving the way for further plot development.
The giant brothers Fafner and Fasolt were played by Bass Andrea Silvestrelli and GUAN Zhijing, a NCPA resident singer. The two actors walked on stilts, giving a high-quality interpretation of their highly challenging roles.
Arnold Bezuyen, who plays Mime, is a professional interpreter of this role. He has acted this part very well in numerous versions. Progressively, Arnold Bezuyen acts out Mime’s multiple feelings, including his memory of the past, fear of Alberich and desire for the ring.
Ensnared, Alberich is taken to the realm of gods, and almost all the characters appeared accordingly, with the struggle for power and wealth shown to the audience. Alberich is forced to give up all his treasures, and when the ring is forcibly taken away from him, he cast the most wicked "curse of death".
When Wotan remains hesitant about whether to hand over the ring to the giant brothers, Erda, Goddess of Wisdom, warns Wotan to give up the ring, and soon afterwards, the curse is fulfilled for the first time - the giants cut one anothe's throats during the distribution of wealth.
God of Thunder, played by Robert Bork, calls for a thunderstorm, and Froh erects a rainbow bridge to Valhalla. With all brass wind instruments played together, the opera came to a magnificent close.
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